Rory McIlroy said “not all of my eggs are in the golf basket” at this stage in his life.
The world No. 2 explained that it’s hard for him to find a balance between his personal life and his career while speaking ahead of BMW Championship in St. Louis — adding that he missed his daughter Poppy’s first day of school on Wednesday.
“It’s trying to find that balance and then trying to be home enough… it’s [my daughter] Poppy’s first day of school today,” McIlroy said at Bellerive Country Club this week. “I would have loved to have been home for that, but I’m here.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy pose for a photo during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. Getty Images
“Just stuff like that … things I didn’t have 10 years ago that I have these days. I’m in a different spot in my life.”
Poppy, who will turn 6 on Aug. 31, is McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll’s, only child.
The couple reconciled their marriage after he filed for divorce in May 2025.
Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll with their daughter, Poppy alongside the DP World Tour Championship trophy and the Race to Dubai trophy following a victory at the DP World Tour Championship 2024. Getty Images
The five-time major champion added that he’s playing five of the next six weeks.
“So I’m going to play, over the course of a calendar year, I still play more than most of the top guys, because I play on both tours [the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour].”
The Northern Irishman — who took a few weeks off before his struggles at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week — explained that he’s prioritizing his family at this point in his life.
“As the years go on you try to, you know, life happens and things that you didn’t have in your mid 20s you have in your mid 30s that you prioritize over golf, right,” McIlroy said. “Prioritize things with your family or things that you don’t want to miss. That’s the stage of life where I’m at. Where, you know, not all my eggs are in the golf basket.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the BMW Championship 2026 at Bellerive Country Club on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. Getty Images
“There’s other things that I want to do and there’s other things that I feel like I have to do. Yeah, it’s a balance. Some years I’ll maybe play more, some years I’ll maybe play where it’s a little bit lighter. But it’s just that balance of making sure that you play enough to stay sharp, but then also I guess having balance in your life that you feel like you’re not missing out on other things that you want to do.”
The 37-year-old pro — who won The Masters in 2025 and ’26 — finished 66th out of 68 after a 2-over 72 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Afterward, McIlroy explained that his swing was off and he felt “lost” as the tournament progressed at TPC Southwind, adding that he felt “far away from where I need to be.”
McIlroy assured for the 30-man season-ending Tour Championship later this month at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., where he will look to secure a fourth FedEx Cup title and his first since 2022.