MCILROY SAYS DIVORCE OFF AFTER RECONCILIATION

(UPDATE) PINEHURST, USA — Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have called off their divorce and are looking forward to "a new beginning," the golfer told The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

McIlroy filed divorce papers to end the seven-year marriage last month, on the eve of the PGA Championship.

But ahead of this week's US Open, the third major of the season, the Northern Irishman said there had been a change of heart.

"There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool's game," the world No. 3 told the newspaper.

"Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning," he added.

Erica Stoll was working for the PGA of America when she met McIlroy in 2012 at the Ryder Cup.

They began dating in 2015, becoming engaged in December that year while on holiday in Paris and marrying in April 2017 at an Irish castle.

Their daughter, Poppy, was born in 2020.

Four-time major winner McIlroy previously dated Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

They were engaged on Dec. 31, 2013, but McIlroy announced in May 2014 that he had ended the engagement.

The 35-year-old has been in an upbeat mood ahead of this week's contest at Pinehurst.

McIlroy has 20 top-10 major results since that decade-old triumph and is confident that he can make the breakthrough this week.

He will play alongside top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds.

2024-06-12T16:23:48Z