US Open: Rory McIlroy Living 'Different Lives,' Details Emotional Struggle
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World No. 2 Rory McIlroy had a better finish to the 2025 US Open than it looked at the end of the third round. The Northern Irishman shot a 67 in the final round to break into the top 25, with the day still to finish.
Now that his performance at Oakmont is in the books, McIlroy is back to his everyday life. In that regard, reuniting with his family takes center stage.
"It's always nice to get home. I feel like I live two different lives," he said.
"I'm a dad and a husband when I'm away from here, and then I'm who I am when I'm here. It's always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality."
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd as he finishes his round on the 18th green during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in...
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd as he finishes his round on the 18th green during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. MoreOf course, the five-time major champion has had a lot going on personally the last few years. He filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, in May 2024. However, they have since been able to reconcile, to the benefit of daughter Poppy.
The five-time major champion has been struggling to find the right motivation since winning the Masters Tournament last April and completing the career grand slam. In that regard, McIlroy mentioned one detail that could help him.
"I'm looking forward to just getting back to Europe in general," he said.
"Obviously I've got one more week over here. Play Hartford [Travelers Championship] next week."
"Yeah, we've got a lot to look forward to, got our new house in London, play the Scottish [Open] and then obviously The Open at Portrush."
It's a sensitive issue for him. Not only will it be his first time appearing in public in his homeland of Northern Ireland after completing the career grand slam, but he has also never won a top-level tournament like the local hero. Royal Portrush will be another opportunity for him to do so.
Rory McIlroy just spoke to the media following his final round at the U.S. Open.
"If I can't get motivated to get up for an Open Championship at home, then I don't know what can motivate me ... I climbed my Everest in April, and I think after you do something like that, you've… pic.twitter.com/tIUmr6XIRP — GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 15, 2025
"Just trying to get myself in the right frame of mind to approach that. I feel like playing an Open at Portrush already and sort of at least remembering what those feelings were like and those feelings that I was probably unprepared for at the time..."
"I felt like I was about to burst into tears [trying to make the cut at Portrush in 2019]. Just that support and that love from your own people. So I was unprepared for that. I need to just get myself in the right frame of mind to feel those feelings again."
During his professional career, Rory McIlroy has played five top-level tournaments on Northern Ireland soil, with mixed results.
He finished in the top 10 at the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush; missed the cut at the 2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down, the 2017 Irish Open at Portstewart, and the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush; and finished runner-up at the 2024 Irish Open at Royal County Down.
More Golf: Oakmont Claims Next Victim as U.S. Open Favorite Withdraws
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