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A glum-looking Rory McIlroy stepped out for a practice round at Valhalla on Wednesday ahead of the PGA Championship – a day after news emerged that he had filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll.
McIlroy, who was also spotted practicing on Tuesday, attracted a big crowd and dutifully signed autographs despite his personal hardships.
The Northern Irishman was also seen with his business manager Sean O’Flaherty on Wednesday.
McIlroy, a two-time winner of the PGA Championship, looked mostly serious as he continued his preparations for the tournament.
However, he was seen flashing a wide grin on the 12th hole in one picture.
Rory McIlroy looked glum as he practiced on Wednesday ahead of the PGA Championship
It emerged on Tuesday that McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll
The Northern Irishman signed autographs for fans despite the turmoil in his personal life
McIlroy will tee off Thursday at 1:15pm local time, as he looks to win his first major since 2014
McIlroy did flash a wide smile at one point in his Wednesday practice round, on the 12th hole
The 2024 PGA Championship will start on Thursday, with McIlroy teeing off at 1:15pm local time.
McIlroy first met Erica during the 2012 Ryder Cup , which she was working for the PGA.
The couple shares a three-year-old daughter, Poppy, who was born in 2020.
His communications team confirmed the couple’s split on Tuesday, while McIlroy is set to address the press later on Wednesday afternoon.
Sources suggested to DailyMail.com that McIlroy’s decision to divorce Stoll ‘came out of the blue.’
The golfer was pictured with his wedding ring just this past Sunday as he lifted the Wells Fargo Championship cup.
He is said to have filed for the split 24 hours later in Florida ‘s Palm Beach County, where he lives.
McIlroy skipped out on the PGA Champions dinner the night before.
Previous winners such as Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas were there, as seen in a photo shared by the tournament’s official X page.
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