In a surprising development that has rocked the golfing world, Northern Irish professional golfer Rory McIlroy has officially filed for divorce from his American wife Erica Stoll after seven years of marriage.
The Official Filing
Court documents obtained from Palm Beach County, Florida confirm that the 35-year-old golf champion submitted divorce papers on Monday, citing that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." The filing comes just weeks before McIlroy is scheduled to compete in the prestigious PGA Championship.
A Timeline of Their Relationship
The couple's journey began under unusual circumstances during the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Stoll, then working for the PGA of America, famously helped McIlroy avoid missing his tee time after he confused time zones.
Their relationship timeline includes:
- 2012: First meet during Ryder Cup incident
- 2015: Begin dating after McIlroy's previous engagement ended
- 2017: Tie the knot in a lavish ceremony at Ashford Castle in Ireland
- 2020: Welcome their daughter Poppy Kennedy McIlroy
Recent Developments and Public Appearances
The divorce filing follows recent public appearances where the couple appeared together, including at the Masters tournament in Augusta just last month. However, sources close to the pair suggest there had been growing tensions in recent months.
McIlroy had previously spoken openly about how marriage and fatherhood brought stability to his life and career, making this development particularly unexpected for golf enthusiasts.
What's Next for the Golf Star
With the PGA Championship looming, all eyes will be on how McIlroy handles the personal turmoil while competing at the highest level of professional golf. The four-time major champion has been in strong form recently, and this personal setback could significantly impact his performance.
The divorce proceedings are expected to address custody arrangements for their three-year-old daughter and the division of substantial assets accumulated during McIlroy's highly successful career.
