RORY MCILROY has released a 51-word statement after he and his wife Erica called off their divorce.
The golf star, 35, filed for divorce in a Florida court last month but announced yesterday that it was voluntarily dismissed.
6
6
6
Northern Irishman McIlroy and Erica have been together for seven years and have a four-year-old daughter called Poppy.
Now they are looking for a “fresh start” after revealing their divorce has been called off.
McIlroy said the Guardian: “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to every rumor is a fool’s game.
“Over the past few weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future would be as a united family.
“Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a fresh start.”
McIlroy’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal on his behalf Tuesday afternoon in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
The reasons for the previous divorce filing between him and 36-year-old Erica were not disclosed.
However, Erica had 20 days to file a counterclaim or risk the court granting the divorce in absentia.
McIlroy also asked that the couple’s prenuptial agreement be maintained, as well as a shared parenting plan, but court documents filed yesterday show the case has been dropped.
Speculation arose last month that McIlroy had an affair with CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis, 38.
Golf fans saw them hugging 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, was photographed without her wedding ring, fueling even more rumors.
But a source close to the two denied there was anything between them to US Weekly, and neither party has commented on the conspiracy theories.
Rory and Erica met when he overslept at the 2012 Ryder Cup and she organized a police escort to get him to the first tee on time.
Inside Rory McIlroy’s turbulent love life
By Ciaran Wiseman
Rory McIlroy had 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, whom he met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica frequently interacted with players through her role as volunteer operations manager for the PGA Championship.
She even saved McIlroy from losing his playing time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a strong friendship between the two, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted 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 pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to shield his family from cameras while filming Netflix documentary series Full Swing.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were made public, but the Northern Irishman filed documents with a Florida court.
But now, the golfer has rejected the case, as reported by the Guardian.
He told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a fresh start.”
The golfer was dating Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki at the time, but called off their engagement in 2014 after sending out wedding invitations.
McIlroy began dating former PGA employee Stoll in 2015, proposing in Paris in December of that year.
They married in 2017 – accompanied by a star-studded guest list – and welcomed their daughter Poppy three years later.
Erica was present at the Ryder Cup in Rome last fall, cheering on her husband as he inspired Europe to an emphatic victory over the USA.
6
6
During their time together, McIlroy achieved 17 PGA Tour triumphs.
As for Erica, she was born in 1988 and raised in Irondequoit, New York with her sister, Natalie Stoll.
She previously lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Little is known about Erica’s private life as she likes to stay out of the spotlight.
Rory McIlroy’s Professional Achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy has spent more than 100 weeks as world No. 1 – and has won four Majors and won 40 tournaments so far.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched the feat of winning one of the Big Four at age 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 summary of the glittering career of the 35-year-old five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the Saudi-backed rival LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings at age 17.
I turned pro in September.
Became the youngest affiliate member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the top 50 worldwide.
- 2010 – Won his first PGA Tour title through the Quail Hollow Championship.
He made a successful Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach earnings of $10 million on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously lost a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But he won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Voted Sports Personality of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – won the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour Player of the Year and went on to further Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – Signed a major sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year yet, in terms of specialization.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
He then won back-to-back PGA titles, defeating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Personality of the Year for the second time.
Once again he helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Finished the season by winning the Tour championship, placing him atop the FedEx Cup and earning a $10 million bonus.
Suffered defeat in the Ryder Cup.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But he took top 10 places in the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80 million sponsorship deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More joy at the Ryder Cup.
- 2020 Surpassed Brooks Koepka to Become World No. 1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runner-up in the Masters and third in the Open.
- 2023 – Helped Europe defeat the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled at the start of the season, finishing only 22nd at the Masters.
But then he won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
