Rory McIlroy went into the PGA Championship with many hoping the 36-year-old would build on his recent Masters triumph and add another major to his collection.

However, it was a tournament to forget for the Northern Irishman - with the golfer finishing three over as Scottie Scheffler secured glory at Quail Hollow.

McIlroy had insisted prior to the tournament that he was 'free' now his wait for the first green jacket of his career was over.

His triumph at Augusta was also his first major in 11 years, ending one of golf's biggest talking points in the process.

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are set to soon move back to the UK following his woes at the PGA Championship

While that's the case, however, McIlroy was unable to display his best form at Quail Hollow as Scheffler took all the plaudits instead.

He finished three over par, something that seemed unfeasible when Scheffler draped him in green just over a month ago.

McIlroy had to contend with controversy surrounding his driver, having been forced to use a back-up club at the last minute.

It was, therefore, no surprise that he decided to shun media duties for four consecutive days. Answering honestly could, after all, have potentially landed him in hot water.

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McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, was nowhere to be seen during the big event.

The couple are creeping closer to a return to the UK, with the pair set to move into a Surrey mansion after the US Open in June.

McIlroy and Erica had, a year ago, looked set to divorce after the golfer filed papers in America.

They later reconciled, however, with their relationship seemingly stronger than ever. Erica, along with Poppy, was present at Augusta as McIlroy etched his name into the history books of the sport.

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Rory McIlroy struggled during the PGA Championship

The family have been living in Flordia but McIlroy, speaking on Netflix's Full Swing, previously confirmed that his wife wanted to spend more time in England.

He said: "If it were up to her, she wouldn't move to England straightaway.

“But she definitely wants to spend more time there."

Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele has expressed sympathy for McIlroy after he was forced to change drivers - with his previous club adjudged to fall foul of the regulations in place.

“I think they should test everyone’s driver,” he said.

“It’s not right to just test 50 guys.

"It just doesn’t make sense if you’re in it for the spirit (of the game).

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll married back in 2017GETTY

“The whole point of it is to protect the integrity of the field.

"If you don’t test everyone across the board I don’t think you’re protecting the whole field.

“Do it to everybody, not just a third of the guys and if a player has a hot driver they’re still playing the tournament. Just my take.”