Insider makes Rory McIlroy Erica Stoll claim following disaster at The Open

Rory McIlroy's former agent, Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, has hinted that the golfer's personal life issues off the green could be affecting his performance .

The Northern Irishman, who's been without a major win for a decade, suffered a blow with a shaky showing at Royal Troon after his collapse at Pinehurst.

The golfing community was stunned when McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll paused their divorce proceedings right before the US Open, despite McIlroy filing for divorce a month earlier, claiming the marriage was "irretrievably broken" .

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Following his victory at the Wells Fargo Championship on May 12, McIlroy had quickly moved to dissolve his marriage, but the pair have since reconciled in an attempt to leave their troubles behind. Now, as McIlroy struggles on the course with a disappointing 78 putting him in danger of missing the cut, Chandler spoke out on talkSPORT about how McIlroy's private life may be distracting him from capitalising on opportunities during play.

"The top, top players obviously play better more often, and then the really top players take their chances," said Chandler. "That's all that's happened with Rory. Rory's played fantastically for ten years, he just doesn't take any chances."

"Looking from the outside, and I haven't seen Rory for a couple of years, but to me it looks like his life is messy. You know what it's like as a sportsman, you have to have total focus and keep your mind on what you're doing."

"But it looks like Rory has spent a year and a half fighting LIV for the PGA Tour, then the PGA Tour pulled the rug from under him, then he started talking about LIV not being too bad, then he had his marriage problems, and then he's got such media scrutiny because he hasn't won a major in ten years. So he just can't get away from it. I think his life is really messy."

Last month, McIlroy seized a two-shot lead with five holes remaining as fans believed his 10-year major drought would end at the US Open. But the 35-year-old agonisingly missed two short putts in a three-bogey run that opened the door for Bryson DeChambeau, who produced a moment of magic at 18 to win.

Once DeChambeau clinched victory, a disheartened McIlroy made a swift exit from Pinehurst No. 2, evidently struggling to digest his defeat.

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He subsequently withdrew from several tournaments to spend time with his family amidst a period of personal upheaval.

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