Rory McIlroy Files For Divorce From Erica Stoll On Eve Of PGA Championship After Claiming Marriage Is 'Irretrievably Broken'
Court documents filed in Florida on Monday show the World No.2 is separating from his wife Erica, just before the second men's Major of the year at Valhalla
![Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll at the 2023 Ryder Cup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EkqTnqJ4emFukBVodXUiRZ-415-80.jpg)
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have filed for divorce on the eve of the 2024 PGA Championship after the Northern Irishman reportedly claimed the pair's marriage was "irretrievably broken."
First reported by TMZ Sports on Tuesday, government records show the World No.2 submitted official documents to Palm Beach County court on May 13, 2024.
McIlroy - who is labelled as the petitioner of the divorce - is being represented by Thomas Sasser while Cheryl Caracuzzo has been listed as the judge on this case.
Per The Irish Independent, McIlroy's team has confirmed that he is filing for divorce but "stressed the couple’s desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible, and to surround their daughter with love and privacy."
The Irish outlet also stated that, per McIlroy's team, neither the pro golfer or his wife will be making any further comment.
Later on, The Telegraph stated that court documents show McIlroy believes the marriage is "irretrievably broken" and that the 22-time regular PGA Tour event winner has asked to "enforce the couple's prenuptial agreement as well as implementing a shared parenting plan."
The pair met at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah while Stoll was working as the manager of the Championship Volunteer Operations for the PGA. According to McIlroy, the woman who would go on to be his wife helped him gain a police escort to the golf club after he had overslept on the Sunday and was in danger of missing his tee time.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Following a period of friendship while McIlroy was still engaged to tennis pro, Caroline Wozniacki, he called off his engagement with the Dane and went on to become official with Stoll a year later in 2015. They later got married at Ashford Castle in April 2017 before going on to have a daughter together - Poppy - in 2020.
Despite being the partner of one of the most famous golfers in the world, the 35-year-old lived a largely private life aside from supporting McIlroy at tournaments.
She was conspicuous in her absence from The Masters last month, however, while she also did not appear at the Wells Fargo Championship last week as McIlroy added his fourth title at that event. And after the Northern Irishman won on Mother's Day in North America, he paid tribute to his own mom but failed to mention his wife.
(Left) McIlroy wore his wedding ring on Sunday after winning the Wells Fargo Championship but did not on the practice range at Valhalla on Tuesday (right)
He was pictured wearing his wedding ring last Sunday, but after emerging onto the range at Valhalla following the news breaking on Tuesday, McIlroy had removed it.
The decision arrives just days before the second men's Major begins at Valhalla Golf Club - the 2024 PGA Championship. McIlroy's most-recent victory at a Major arrived at this very golf course in 2014 and could represent an excellent chance for him to add number five a decade on.
The World No.2 is set to speak to the media from Valhalla at 1pm ET on Wednesday.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Listen To The Official Anthem Of The AIG Women’s Open
'Rising Up' has been crafted to drive new energy to the sport and give the AIG Women's Open a memorable sound for years to come
By Alison Root Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau ‘Wouldn’t Put It Past’ Tiger Woods To Win Another Major
The US Open champion has defended Tiger Woods amid his recent poor form at Majors and calls for him to retire
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reacts To First Open Missed Cut In Five Years
The four-time Major winner struggled yet again on Friday, as McIlroy stuttered to a four-over-par round of 75 to miss the cut comfortably at Royal Troon
By Matt Cradock Published
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The 2024 Open
A number of box office names are heading home early after missing the cut at Royal Troon
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gets Putting Tips From Luke Donald Ahead Of Open Championship
The world No.2 said he picked the brain of Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald to help with getting a feel of the greens at Royal Troon
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
‘I Blanked Tiger Woods’ - Rory McIlroy Admits Never Receiving Woods' Message After Changing His Number
Tiger Woods reached out to console McIlroy after his US Open collapse but the Northern Irishman admits missing the message
By James Nursey Published
-
Everything Rory McIlroy Said Ahead Of The 152nd Open
From his game being in "really good shape" to accidentally blanking Tiger Woods, here's everything McIlroy said ahead of Troon
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
'I Have Felt So Sorry For Rory' – Gary Player 'Pulling' For McIlroy To Win Open After Pinehurst Agony
Gary Player spoke to Golf Monthly about Rory’s struggles, Bryson’s bravado, Jon Rahm’s millions and Troon’s “easy” front nine.
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
'Erratic Band Of Rain' Set To Cause Havoc At Royal Troon? Open Championship Set For Wet Moving Day
The weather at Royal Troon is set to turn very wet on Saturday as those who make the cut battle towards the title in heavy rain
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals He ‘Contemplated’ Player-Captain Role At Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy rejected an approach to be Ryder Cup player-captain in Ireland in 2027 - and says Keegan Bradley won't be able to do both if the USA skipper qualifies for his own team
By Paul Higham Published