Rory McIlroy breaks silence on divorce U-turn and admits 'sometimes life gets too much'

Rory McIlroy has been candid about his near-divorce experience , confessing: "Sometimes life can get too much." In a heartfelt chat on The Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, the golf star from Co Down discussed briefly separating from his marital path.

He shared how stepping back from golf helped him to recognize "what was really important to me", adding: "I think sometimes life can get too much."

In an announcement made in June , McIlroy stated he and his wife Erica Stoll had decided to stay together, a short while after he initially filed for divorce in a Florida Court.

• Rory McIlroy's whopping net worth in 2024 as top golfer gets off to strong start at Irish Open

• Rory McIlroy clarifies role in PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger amid controversial meeting slammed by 9/11 families

The pair, who tied the knot in 2017 at Ashford Castle in Co Mayo , share a daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born in 2020, reports the Irish Mirror .

Speaking to his fellow Co Down native Kielty, McIlroy reflected: "There's been a lot going on this year, golf wise and then obviously personal-wise as well. I had to take a little bit of a break and get away from the game."

He admitted that the business side of golf had taken over his life, leading to a realization that it was time to step back and understand what truly mattered: "Golf and the business of golf had become all consuming for me and I needed to take a bit of time away to realise what was actually important. Friends, family, enjoying myself, I need to enjoy that time."

When probed about whether his daughter might one day emulate his success on the golf course, McIlroy, who is topping the leaderboard at the Irish Open into the final day, revealed: "We got her her first real clubs for her birthday this year.

"It's piqued her interest a little," he said, committing to fully support her if she pursues golf but also being open to her choosing a different path.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .