Golfer Rory McIlroy’s shock divorce from his American wife came “out of the blue” and “nobody saw it coming”, says an insider.
The 35-year-old – who is said to be worth £200million – filed for divorce from Erica Stoll after filing papers in Florida on Monday.
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Golfer Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll have filed for divorce
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The pair first met in 2012 before falling out a few years later
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McIlroy was spotted on the course for the first time this afternoon Credit: Getty
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He was seen focusing on the Valhalla training ground in KentuckyCredit: Getty
The Northern Irish star did not give a reason for the split – with the shock break coming after the pair tied the knot in a star-studded wedding in 2017.
But the three-page divorce petition — filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court — says the marriage is “irretrievably dissolved.”
McIlroy’s team released a statement this evening which read: “Rory McIlroy’s communications team confirmed today that the divorce has been filed.
“They emphasized Rory’s desire to ensure that this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible.
“He will not comment further.”
A golf source added: “Their split came out of the blue and nobody saw it coming.
“The timing is very strange with Rory going into the tournament but maybe he wanted to sort things out before he started.
“Ironically, Rory is in some of the best shape of his life so whatever was going on behind the scenes didn’t affect him at all.
“He’s on a hot streak so everything in the garden looked rosy. But he will now be in the center of great attention.
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t affect his form at Kentucky and his game in general.
“But hopefully with the news Rory can focus on the tournament.”
Rory McIlroy seen for first time since filing for divorce from wife Erica as he looks to make a repeat attempt after Wozniacki
McIlroy was seen today at the Valhalla golf course in Kentucky.
Documents filed in the US showed that four-time major champion McIlroy and Erica signed a prenuptial agreement in March 2017 before tying the knot in April that year.
They also revealed the couple had agreed to “shared parental responsibility” for their three-year-old daughter Poppy.
Golf world No. 2 McIlroy and Erica first met in September 2012 at the Ryder Cup where she helped him to the course after he overslept.
At the time, McIlroy was dating Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki – and the pair became engaged – before splitting in 2014. His romance with Erica, 36, blossomed the following year.
Erica – who worked for the US PGA when they met – and McIlroy then tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in County Mayo, Ireland in front of guests including Ed Sheeran, One Direction’s Niall Horan and Coldplay singer Chris Martin.
And Erica – and daughter Poppy – have often been by his side as McIlroy starred in tournaments in recent years. Erica cheered him on at the Ryder Cup in Italy last year and was also there for him at the 2023 Masters Par 3 event.
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The reasons for their divorce have not been disclosed
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Erica was a regular at his golf eventsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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McIlroy and Erica, who married in 2017, welcomed daughter Poppy in 2020. Credit: Getty
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Erica and McIlroy enjoyed a secret relationship Credit: Getty
Erica was spotted at The Players in March when the PGA Tour shared a heartwarming video of her and Poppy greeting McIlroy on the 18th green.
The golfer was seen scooping his daughter into his arms for a hug, and Erica told him they watched his birdie finish. Their split comes ahead of the US PGA Championship in Valhalla, Kentucky, which starts tomorrow, and McIlroy is one of the favourites.
This afternoon, a rep for the golf ace confirmed the split to The Sun.
They said, “The divorce has been filed.”
A representative said the couple wanted to remain “respectful and friendly” and “surround their daughter with love.”
McIlroy has won his last two golf starts – the Wells Fargo Championship and the Zurich Classic.
Rory McIlroy’s career achievements
Author: Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy has spent more than 100 weeks as world No. 1 – and so far has won four Majors and won 40 tournaments.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods managed to win one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Irish ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a brief overview of the illustrious career of the 35-year-old five-time Ryder Cup winner, who has also been a vocal critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV Tour:
- 2007 – first in the world ranking of amateurs at the age of 17.
Turned pro in September.
Became the youngest associate member in European tour history to receive a tour ticket.
- 2009 – reached the top 50 in the world.
- 2010 – Won his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made his debut at the victorious Ryder Cup.
He became the youngest player to earn $10 million on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-shot lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
Ali won his first major tournament the following month – the US Open.
Named sports person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – won the PGA Championship.
Named Player of the Year on the PGA Tour and picked up more glory in the Ryder Cup.
- 2013 – signed a major sponsorship contract with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, as far as major occupations are concerned.
He won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
He then won back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the Year for the second time.
He helped Europe win the Ryder Cup again.
- 2016 – Finished the season by winning the Tour Championship, which put him atop the FedEx Cup and earned him a $10 million bonus pool.
Lost in the Ryder Cup.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But he made the top 10 at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely pulling out of the golf market, it has struck an £80m deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- In 2020, he overtook Brooks Koepka and became world number 1
- 2021 – Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runner-up at the Masters and third at the Open.
- 2023 – Helped Europe beat the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – had problems at the beginning of the season, finishing only 22nd in the Masters.
But then he won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
And all eyes will now be on him when he starts in Kentucky, where he begins the 106th championship as the second favorite behind American Scottie Scheffler.
It was at the 2012 Ryder Cup event in Medinah, Illinois, where McIlroy first met Erica, who was working for the US Professional Golfers Association as the championship’s volunteer operations manager.
McIlroy’s alarm didn’t go off, but Erica came to his rescue and helped organize a police escort to take him to the track so he wouldn’t miss his first time.
The star went on to help Europe in the famous ‘Miracle of Medinah’ comeback win.
McIlroy and Erica remained friends while the golfer was with former world No.1 Wozniacki – before their romance blossomed in 2014.
Speaking about their relationship the following year, McIlroy said: “I’m very happy in my love life.
“We weren’t really putting it out there. She is from America and that’s why I like to spend time in Palm Beach.
In the whirlwind of Rory McIlroy’s love life
Ciaran Wiseman
Rory McIlroy enjoyed a high-profile romance with former world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, whom he first met on the 2011 PGA Tour.
Erica interacted frequently with players through her role as the PGA’s Manager of Volunteer Championship Operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his first time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after a time zone mix-up.
The incident started a strong friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were seen on a series of dates in Rochester, New York in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The couple then welcomed a daughter, Poppy, into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica kept their relationship private, and the golfer wanted to shield his family from the cameras while filming the Netflix documentary series Full Swing.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy has now filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce have not been released, but the Northern Irishman has filed documents with a Florida court.
“The past six or seven months have been very nice. That part of my life is going great.”
And in a later interview, he added: “What I love about it is that we were friends before anything romantic happened.”
The couple also kept Erica’s pregnancy with Poppy a secret until she gave birth in September 2020.
A few days before the new arrival, McIlroy told reporters at the BMW Championship: “We’re going to be parents soon, so obviously we’re very excited.
“We shared the news with friends and family, obviously, but I didn’t think it was something I really needed to share.
“But we’re really excited and can’t wait [our daughter] come here.”
Shortly thereafter, in September 2020, McIlroy announced the birth of their daughter via Instagram.
He, Erica and Poppy are thought to have been living in a 12,800 sq ft mansion worth £7m in Jupiter, Florida – the hotbed of golf.
The star reportedly ended his relationship with Wozniacki in a three-minute phone conversation after saying he was “not ready for all that marriage entails.”
McIlroy – who previously dated childhood sweetheart and companion Holly Sweeney, 33, added at the time: “I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the wonderful times we had.”
Their split came in May 2014, before they were due to tie the knot in November – after they had already sent out the invitations.
This afternoon, McIlroy’s rep said he and Erica hoped for privacy for their daughter, adding: “Neither will be making any further comment.”
Who are the most famous Wags of golf?
The world’s top golfers enjoy fabulous lifestyles – and their Wags lead exciting lives of their own.
Here are some of the most prominent beauties…
- Playing off a handicap of three, this sports journalist could give her guy a run for his money on the green.
- This modest beauty married the superstar golfer in front of Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin and Niall Horan.
- A former gymnast who has been her husband’s rock for 14 years – he even pays tribute to her on his golf balls.
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