Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll after seven years of marriage, as confirmed by court records in Palm Beach County, Florida. The couple met during the 2012 Ryder Cup, began dating a couple of years later, and got married in 2017. They share one daughter, Poppy, who was born in September 2020. The petition for divorce described the marriage as irretrievably broken, and it requested validation and enforcement of a prenuptial agreement signed before their wedding. Rory’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, who represented Tiger Woods during his divorce, is handling the case.
Rory McIlroy’s communication team confirmed the divorce filing, emphasizing his desire for a respectful and amicable process during this difficult time. McIlroy, a professional golfer, arrived at Valhalla for the PGA Championship following the divorce filing. He has not won a major championship in the last ten years, with his last victory being at Valhalla in 2014 for the PGA Championship. McIlroy’s pre-tournament news conference was scheduled for Wednesday. The divorce filing came just a day after he won the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking his 26th PGA Tour win.
The relationship between Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll began under unusual circumstances when she worked for the PGA of America during the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah in Chicago. She played a crucial role in getting McIlroy to his Sunday singles match on time as he almost missed it due to a time zone confusion. McIlroy was previously engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, but the engagement was broken off over the phone. Later, McIlroy and Stoll began dating, got engaged in 2015, and were married in 2017. The divorce filing adds another layer to McIlroy’s personal life amidst his professional golfing career.
The divorce filing by Rory McIlroy comes at a tumultuous time in the golf world with the launch of Saudi-funded LIV Golf causing chaos in the sport. McIlroy has been actively involved in criticizing LIV Golf and exploring options for reunification within the golf community. He resigned from the PGA Tour board last November and was involved in a plan to rejoin the board by replacing Webb Simpson, although that move faced resistance from other player directors. Instead, McIlroy was appointed to a committee negotiating with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia over potentially becoming a minority investor in the sport.
As McIlroy navigates the personal challenges brought about by the divorce filing, he continues his professional golfing career with a focus on the ongoing PGA Championship at Valhalla. Despite the upheaval in his personal life, McIlroy remains committed to giving his best on the course and maintaining his competitive edge. The divorce filing has sparked interest and speculation among fans and the golfing community, but McIlroy’s team has reiterated his desire for privacy and respect during this difficult time. As the PGA Championship unfolds, McIlroy’s performance on the course will be closely watched, with both his personal and professional life at the forefront of discussions in the golfing world.
