Rory McIlroy stonewalls divorce questions as golf superstar hightails it out of media tent in personal best

Golf superstar Rory McIlroy clocked a new personal best for his shortest-ever media conference.

The normally chatty world No.2 was in no mood to wax lyrical ahead of the second Major of the season, the USPGA Championship that starts on Thursday. The news broke of McIlroy's divorce from Erica Stoll this week as he was meant to bask in the glory of winning at Wells Fargo – and it has seemingly dampened the mood of the man focused on winning his first big one in 10 years.

He refused to take any questions about his personal life, although one journalist refused to play ball. The Irishman's previous record pre-tournament chat at The Masters last month lasted less than 11 minutes. But he slashed his mark by some at Valhalla on Wednesday. This time he was in and out of the tent in just nine minutes and 20 seconds, reports the Mirror.

McIlroy only answered seven questions on Wednesday but one was delivered emphatically. One journo wasn't having his request and asked: “On a personal level, how are you doing?”

But the Ulsterman shut it down, saying: “I'm ready to play this week.” Ploughing on with his tunnel vision on what lies ahead at the USPGA, McIlroy added: “This is a golf course that allows you to play with freedom because it's a big golf course. You can open your shoulders up off the tee and try to take your chances from there.”

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