In a stunning development just days before the PGA Championship, court records in Palm Beach County, Florida, have revealed that Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, after seven years of marriage.
The couple’s love story began with a serendipitous meeting during the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Stoll, then an employee of the PGA of America, arranged for a police escort to ensure McIlroy arrived on time for his Sunday singles match.
Despite being in a relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki at the time, McIlroy and Stoll began dating two years later and tied the knot in 2017. They welcomed their daughter, Poppy, in September 2020.
News of the divorce filing, which was made on Monday, was first reported by TMZ. McIlroy’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, who previously represented Tiger Woods during his 2010 divorce, was listed in the petition for dissolution of marriage.
In a statement released by McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, the golfer’s communications team confirmed the divorce filing, emphasizing McIlroy’s desire to handle this difficult time with respect and amicability. The statement also noted that no further comment would be provided on the matter.
McIlroy arrived at Valhalla on Tuesday, where he is set to compete in the PGA Championship, a tournament he last won in 2014 at the same venue. The news of his divorce comes as he seeks to end a 10-year major championship drought. McIlroy’s pre-tournament news conference is scheduled for Wednesday.
The divorce filing comes just one day after McIlroy’s impressive victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking his second consecutive PGA Tour win and the 26th of his career. When asked about his plans following the tournament, McIlroy mentioned he would likely go home to “reset” before heading to Louisville for the PGA Championship.
The news of McIlroy’s divorce is set against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in the world of golf, primarily due to the emergence of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series.
McIlroy has been a central figure in the debate, initially criticizing LIV Golf but later softening his stance and advocating for some form of reunification. He recently resigned from the PGA Tour board and was appointed to a committee negotiating with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia regarding a potential minority investment.
As McIlroy prepares to compete in the PGA Championship, the golf world will undoubtedly be watching to see how he navigates both the challenges on the course and the personal upheaval in his private life.