STAYING PUTT
Rory McIlroy and wife Erica CALL OFF divorce after resolving differences ahead of US Open
Rory has been with Erica for seven years
RORY McIlroy’s divorce has been called off as the golfer revealed "we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning".
The sportsman, 35, filed for divorce in Florida court last month and has now announced it's been voluntarily dismissed.
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His attorney Thomas Sasser filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal on his behalf on Tuesday afternoon at the Palm Beach County Courthouse.
McIlroy has been with Erica for seven years and the pair share a daughter together called Poppy, who they welcomed in 2020.
The reasons for the previous divorce filing between McIlroy and 36-year-old Erica were not disclosed.
But Erica had been given 20 days to file a counterclaim or risk having the court grant the divorce by default.
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Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy also asked for the couple’s prenuptial agreement to be upheld, as well as a shared parenting plan.
It came just days before the US PGA Championship, but court documents filed on Tuesday now show the case has been dismissed.
The golf pro told: “There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.
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"Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
Speaking ahead of his partnership with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in North Carolina, McIlroy added: “I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors."
Carefree Rory McIlroy has 'shaken off' bombshell split from Erica Stoll 'with ease' as he’s seen laughing ahead of PGA clash
He added that he is "more confident than ever" and "as close as I've ever been".
It comes after recent speculation McIlroy had sparked a fling with CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis, 38.
Fans spotted the pair share a hug after an interview at the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario.
Meanwhile, Balionis, who is married to football coach Bryn Renner, had been pictured without her wedding ring, which only fuelled more rumours.
However, a close source denied there was anything between them to US Weekly, and neither party commented on the conspiracy theories.
WHIRLWIND ROMANCE
McIlroy and American beauty Erica first met in 2011 when she was working for PGA at the Ryder Cup as manager of Championship Volunteer Operations.
A year later, the Northern Irishman was famously late to the course after his alarm failed to go off.
And Erica sorted a police escort for McIlroy, allowing him to tee off on time as Team Europe completed the "Miracle at Medinah".
Inside Rory McIlroy’s whirlwind love life
By Ciaran Wiseman
Rory McIlroy enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string 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 pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were disclosed, but the Northern Irishman has submitted documents to a court in Florida.
But now, the golfer has dismissed the case, as reported by the Guardian.
He told the outlet: "Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
At the time was dating tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, and they were later engaged.
But, they cancelled their wedding plans and split in 2014, with McIlroy and Erica then dating in 2015.
The couple kept their relationship low-key.
They eventually got hitched in 2017, with the guest list including Stevie Wonder, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and One Direction’s Niall Horan.
During their time together, McIlroy enjoyed 17 PGA Tour wins.
As for Erica, she was born in 1988 and raised in Irondequoit, New York, with her sister, Natalie Stoll.
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She previously lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
There is little known about Erica's private life as she likes to stay away from the spotlight.
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 - and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year - adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here's a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 - topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 - reached the world top 50.
- 2010 - won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 - Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month - the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE - Ireland's main broadcaster.
- 2012 - lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 - signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 - his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 - Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 - failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 - More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 - A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 - runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 - helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 - struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments - the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
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