Rory McIlroy is set to compete in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, having recently prioritised family time at his new UK home. The golfer, 37, relocated last year from Jupiter, Florida, to a £9million property in Wentworth, Surrey, with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy. This personal adjustment precedes his participation in the season’s third major.
McIlroy missed the Canadian Open, opting for a period of domestic focus. He acknowledged this shift in his schedule, stating, “Yeah, I feel a bit like a part-timer these days, but yeah, no, I had a couple weeks off. I had a couple of weeks off and we got ourselves settled into our house in London for the summer. It was nice to be there for the last 10 days.” This break allowed him to oversee extensive renovations on the six-bedroom mansion, which he acquired in 2023. The property now features a sweeping spiral staircase, home cinema, and an indoor swimming pool, reflecting a significant personal investment.
The decision to establish a UK base was influenced by Erica Stoll’s preference for spending more time in England, partly due to an aversion to Florida’s climate. McIlroy himself noted on Netflix’s Full Swing documentary, “If it was up to her, she wouldn’t move to England straightaway, but she definitely wants to spend more time there.” Fellow PGA Tour player J. J. Spaun previously indicated McIlroy’s intentions, recalling their conversation where McIlroy confirmed, “I asked him about that, and he said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m building a house out there’. He kept it really friendly and light, and then we chatted a lot until the back nine, and that was it!”
Ahead of the US Open, McIlroy made a brief stop at Shinnecock Hills to familiarise himself with the course. He expressed his readiness for the challenge, commenting, “A little bit of practice, stopped off at Shinnecock on the way here on Monday, scouted it a little bit, and played. Excited for a nice, good tournament here, I missed this one last year, so it’s good to be back. The course is as hard as ever, so looking forward to the challenge this week.” His preparation suggests a focused approach despite the recent personal transition, as he aims to contend for a major title.
