Rory McIlroy has revealed two key family reasons for why he’s striving not to contract the Covid-19 disease while also plying his trade on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy’s first child, Polly was born on August 30th and days before he was due to head to Atlanta and tee-up in the Tour Championship and he’s spoken of having to remain in the Florida hospital for three days fearing he did not get the virus.
There also is the concern for his own mother, Rosie back home in Belfast struggling with respiratory issues.
Adding to the four-time Major winner’s concern is now Australia’s Adam Scott has been forced out of the ZoZo Championship having tested positive to the disease.
Scott is third such COVID-10 ‘positive’ golfer this week to withdraw from the $US 8m event and the 19th overall PGA Tour player to have tested positive since the lockdown was lifted ahead of the June 11th restart to competition in Fort Worth, Texas.
McIlroy was asked ahead of the ZoZo Championship if he felt nervous every time he’s been tested for the COVID-19 virus.
“I think with having a pregnant wife through Covid, I’ve tried to be careful with that, and then with my mother having some respiratory issues, having asthma, I’ve really tried to be careful as well.
“I’ve never really put myself in a position I don’t think to — anyone can get it and you can get it from anywhere, I get that, but I’ve tried to be ultra careful just because of those two things.
“I guess the only time I was a little nervous was when our daughter was born and I was in the hospital for three days, because that’s — I think you could catch it there pretty quickly. I think going to the Tour Championship and getting tested was probably the most nervous I had been about, maybe catching it or having it or having a positive test.
“So yeah, and I think going into Augusta, I mean the next two weeks while I prepare there, I try to be as careful as possible. I don’t really — I maybe go to a restaurant once a week while I’m at home, but I try to take all the necessary precautions.
“I’m loading up on zinc and magnesium and vitamin D and all the stuff that’s said to maybe help protect you from it. Yeah, so I try to do my part to stay as safe as possible.”
And while McIlroy was quizzed more at length about the up-coming Masters, he spoke of his 100% focus on this week’s event and the goal to win for the first time in nearly 12 months.
“Look, again, it’s what’s important to you, right? It’s not what’s important to the masses and what’s important to the media,” he stated.
“I mean, you guys are going to write about Augusta because that’s what people want to hear about, right? You’re catering to what people want to read.
“But for me, this is — I’m 100 percent focused on this week at the ZoZo Championship and there’s no part of my mind that will be on Augusta, Georgia, when I’m out there playing those 72 holes this week.”
McIlroy is the only Irishman in this week’s field and gets underway at 19.51 Irish time this evening (Thursday).
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