"Happy to be here" - Rory McIlroy evades questions about personal life after opening round 66 at PGA Championship

After shooting an impressive 5-under 66 in the opening round of the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy was once again confronted with personal questions regarding his divorce from Erica Stoll. However, he carefully dodged them, as he seemed in no mood to talk about it.

On Thursday, May 16, McIlroy fired a 66, with six birdies and a bogey. The week started with the news of him filing for divorce from Stoll, and it was expected that he would be asked about it at Valhalla Golf Club. However, he had already made it clear that he wouldn't answer any personal questions.

During the post-round press conference on Thursday, one journalist tried to ask a couple of personal questions to the Northern Irishman despite the instructions. However, he cleverly dodged both questions with single-line answers. The journalist asked him if he was able to compartmentalize, referring to his personal life.

"Happy to be here," he responded.

Earlier this week, TMZ reported that Rory McIlroy had filed for divorce from Erica, his wife of seven years, citing that their marriage was 'irretrievably broken.' Notably, he has hired Thomas Sasser as an attorney. Sasser had also worked for Tiger Woods during his divorce from Elin Nordegren.

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"I thought I got a lot out of my game today," - Rory McIlroy reflects on his game after first round of PGA Championship

During the post round press conference of the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy reflected on his opening round.

"I sort of felt like it was pretty scrappy for the most part," he said. "I don't really feel like I left many out there. I thought I got a lot out of my game today.

"Some good up-and-downs, the chip-in on 6. I had a little bit of a scrappy part around the turn there, but overall really happy with -- not really happy with how I played but at least happy with the score."

The two time PGA Champion is grouped with Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose for the second day at the Valhalla Golf Club. After teeing off from the tenth hole on Thursday, the trio will begin the second round from the first tee at 1:40 pm ET.

Rory McIlroy is fifth alongside seven other players and is four strokes behind leader Xander Schauffele, who fired a low 9-under 62 on Thursday. Sahith Theegala, Mark Hubbard and Tony Finau were tied for second at 7-under. Defending champion Brooks Koepka is five strokes back at T12 alongside Scottie Scheffler and four others.