‘Totally Consumed My Life’: Weeks After $3,000,000 Fine, Rory McIlroy Makes a Dark Confession About His Professional Life

Northern Irish golf superstar Rory McIlroy confessed to struggling with mental health. The former World number one golfer addressed his controversial decision to skip a second designated event at the RBC Heritage that cost him $3 million.

“I feel like it’s totally consumed my life for the last 12 months. It’s been a pretty tumultuous time, and being in the position that I’m in it’s taken up a lot of my time.”

Born in a working-class family with both parents working to make ends meet. Introduced to golf at a young age by his father, McIlroy joined the Holywood Golf Club at the age of seven and had been playing continuously since. Rory was a member of the 2004 Irish team at the European Boys’ Team Championship at the age of 15. His score at the U.S. Open was a record at 16 under par. That made him the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923. By the age of 25, he was a member of the elite club of players to have won majors, shared with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

However, McIlroy is no stranger to struggle. After his illustrious initial career as a professional, the collapse in the final round of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, in 2011 haunts him to date. He has faced many injuries and setbacks throughout his career. Rory has crashed and burned but came back to win.

Fans can just hope for the “Rors” to make a great comeback. Though, his statement has shed light on the dark side of athletic fame and fortune. The physical strain and mental pressure of consistently competing and performing at the highest level is not easy with the spotlight and media always following. Many athletes over the years have come forward in recent years and shared their struggles with mental health. Micheal Phelps, Christiano Ronaldo, Simone Biles, Dwyane Johnson, and many other prominent sportspeople have shared their struggles with mental health.

Athletes often lose themselves to their game and their image. In her 2012 memoir “In The Water Thye Can’t See You Cry,” swimmer Amanda Beard revealed how athletes get consumed by their sport. Rory has been playing continuously for almost two decades. His statement about getting consumed in the last 12 months can be a hint towards that fatigue.

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