Rory McIlroy reveals the truth about his lighter schedule

Rory McIlroy is playing less golf than he ever has in his career, but he's never been happier. 

After taking a share of the lead with a 5-under 65 in the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open, his first tournament round since the U.S. Open three weeks ago, the six-time major champion explained how his lighter schedule is helping him on and off the course. 

Rory McIlroy is finding more balance in a light schedule

"The benefits are seeing my family more — feeling like I have a bit more balance in my life," McIlroy said on Thursday at The Renaissance Club, per Underdog Golf.

Family time can be sparse for professional golfers, especially ones on McIlroy's level. PGA Tour players travel to tournaments around the world from January through August, and that doesn't even include sponsorship duties and other public appearances. 

If McIlroy played a full schedule, he would see his wife, Erica, and four-year-old daughter, Poppy, only twice a week if he's lucky. Taking extra time off in between tournaments has allowed him to be more present at home.

Added family time isn't the only perk of McIlroy's lighter schedule. The Northern Irishman says playing fewer events helps him prepare and focus more on the ones that matter most. 

"I think one of the other benefits for me, like I'm nearly 20 years into this, and I need to do everything I can to keep my enthusiasm as high as possible, and playing a lighter schedule definitely does that," he said. "I feel like even though I have played pretty sparsely over the past few months, the starts of my tournaments have all been really good."