Rory McIlroy explained why he wanted to “hide” upon his return to Europe, ahead of the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open.
The 2025 Masters winner has been in a frosty mood with the media in recent months, frequently not attending press conferences. At the US Open, he said he was “frustrated” with the media when he was singled out about a controversy with his non-conforming driver, while other players had similar issues.
On the course, he has not won since his win at Augusta. He finished tied for 47th at the PGA Championship and 19th at the US Open, and McIlroy surprisingly missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open.
Before his first European event of the season, he explained why he felt like hiding.
Rory McIlroy needed to ‘completely get away’ from golf
McIlroy said that returning to Europe meant he could escape from the stresses of life on the PGA Tour.
When asked what it felt like to be back home, he said, “The one thing I could say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more, and sort of hide in a way. Sometimes you need that to completely get away.”
He continued, “I feel like this world of golf can be all-encompassing if you let it, but I think if you remove yourself a little bit from that environment. Justin Rose and I came up together here yesterday, and we were chatting about the detachment of the week-in, week-out grind when you get over here.”
Many thought that he would be more loose and free once the pressure of McIlroy winning the Masters had been lifted off his shoulders. That has evidently not been the case, and it seems that the ability to escape in Europe has been a mental benefit to him.
Rory McIlroy eyes another win at the Genesis Scottish Open
McIlroy is returning to familiar territory this weekend, as he looks to reclaim his Genesis Scottish Open crown from 2023.
His incredible comeback on the final two holes secured McIlroy’s first win in Scotland, and he became the first player to win the Irish Open, Scottish Open, and The Open Championship.
He was the leader going into the final day, but four bogeys on the front nine left him chasing home country hero Robert MacIntyre down the stretch. McIlroy birdied the 17th and 18th with two incredible approach shots to snatch victory.
A repeat of that win would put him in great stead before he returns home to Northern Ireland for The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.