Rory McIlroy has revealed that spending more time with his wife Erica Stoll in their new home has injected new hunger into him. The Northern Irishman finally won his fifth major title and completed the career Grand Slam when he triumphed at the Masters in April, ending an 11-year drought.
However, his form deteriorated sharply in the months that followed, with a tied 47th finish at the PGA Championship and 19th at the US Open. During that period, work was being carried out on a new property in Wentworth for McIlroy and his family.
Speaking ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, McIlroy said: 'We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and have been trying to settle in. It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you. Sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while. Yeah, it’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year.'
McIlroy admitted he lost some motivation after completing the Grand Slam, even saying at the US Open he would not care too much if he missed the cut. But after talking with Justin Rose, the player he beat in a sudden-death play-off at Augusta, he realised he needed time in the UK to find his drive again. McIlroy has reportedly spent around £9million developing his new home, which sits on the plush Wentworth Estate, home to the likes of Prince Andrew and former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
