RBC Heritage withdrawal was for 'mental and emotional wellbeing'- Rory McIlroy

Posted : 03 May 2023

Rory McIlroy has stated that he withdrew from the RBC Heritage competition last month for of concerns about his "mental and emotional wellbeing."

The world number three withdrew not long after missing the Masters cut, with no explanation offered at the time.

At this week's Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy will compete for the first time since Augusta.

"I needed a break for me" he said.

"Obviously, after the disappointment of Augusta, and it's been a pretty taxing 12 months mentally, so it was nice to just try to disconnect a little bit and get away from it."

"But it's nice to come back and feel refreshed and I think we're on a pretty busy run here from now until after the play-offs so I'm excited to get going. "

"I think it was a combination of a few things, and just after the disappointment of Augusta and how I played there, it was just more for my mental and emotional wellbeing I just needed to be at home for those few weeks but, as I said, looking forward to getting back this week."

He added: "I think I'm in a better headspace than I was. Yes, you know, that run-up to Augusta is always a stressful enough couple of weeks trying to make sure everything is in the right order and making sure your game is in good shape.

"I think for me it was a nice reset because I still had to realise that there are three more majors this year, there is a ton left to play for."

After his disappointing performance at the Masters, in which he failed to make the halfway cut, McIlroy declined to participate in any post-round interviews.

The 33-year-old has missed two designated PGA Tour events so far this season, which is one more than is permitted for players in the top 20 of the circuit's Player Impact Program (PIP). The second of those events was the RBC Heritage.

This second absence, coming after missing the season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions in January, may lose him bonus money from the PIP, which is awarded at the conclusion of the PGA Tour season and brought McIlroy £7.5 million in 2022.

After winning the Wells Fargo Championship in 2010, 2015, and 2021, McIlroy will participate at Quail Hollow this week in an effort to claim the championship a fourth time.

RBC Heritage withdrawal was for 'mental and emotional wellbeing'- Rory McIlroy

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