Rory McIlroy breaks silence on Erica Stoll bombshell divorce U-turn

Rory McIlroy has opened up on his personal life after stepping away from golf amid his reunion with wife Erica Stoll earlier this year.

The Northern Irishman, 35, stunned the world when he filed for divorce from his wife of seven years in May – just days before the beginning of the PGA Championship . 

The four-time major winner left golfing fans further shocked when he performed a U-turn just a month later, calling off his divorce from Erica, 36, ahead of this year’s US Open stating that their ‘best future was as a family together.’ The couple share three-year-old daughter Poppy together. 

Just days later, McIlroy suffered an agonizing defeat at Pinehurst No. 2 when he collapsed over the last five holes, losing out to Bryson DeChambeau. 

McIlroy announced he would be taking brief sabbatical amid US Open implosion and divorce U-turn drama, returning to the course for July’s Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship. 

The Northern Irishman called off his bombshell divorce from his wife of seven years in June

Speaking to Patrick Kielty on Irish talk show ‘Late Late’ this week, McIlroy revealed he took the break to rediscover ‘what was actually important to me.’

‘I think sometimes life can get a lot and it can get too much,’ he said. ‘There’s been a lot going on this year, golf wise and then obviously personal wise as well. I had to take a little bit of a break and get away from the game more than anything else,’ he told Kielty.

‘Golf and the business of golf had become all consuming for me for the last couple of years and I needed to take a bit of time away to realize what was actually important to me. Friends, family, enjoying myself, enjoying the fact you were this little boy in Holywood and you’ve grown up to be whatever it is that I am and I need to enjoy that time.’

McIlroy’s attorney Thomas Sasser filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal on his behalf on June 11 in Palm Beach County Courthouse after he and Erica reportedly held secret meetings at their $22m Florida home for a month in a bid to salvage their marriage.

The meetings were initially focused on how they would co-parent their daughter Poppy, but the conversations eventually led to them reuniting, according to Irish outlet RSVP Live.  

The stunning about-turn came less than a month after Erica was served papers at the couple’s marital home in Jupiter, Florida, informing her that McIlroy wanted out of their marriage.

McIlroy had filed for divorce from Stoll in May – just days before the PGA Championship 

McIlroy addressed the speculation surrounding his relationship status in a statement to The Guardian – two days before the opening round of the US Open. 

‘There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game,’ McIlroy said. 

‘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.’

McIlroy was in Kentucky preparing for the PGA Championship when his divorce summons was delivered to Erica at their sprawling mansion.

His petition asked for shared parental custody of their little girl and asked for a judge to enforce a prenup agreement the couple signed prior to their 2017 wedding. 

The Northern Irishman and Stoll tied the knot in 2017 (pictured at the 2023 Ryder Cup)

The couple share a three-year-old daughter Poppy, who was born in 2020 (Erica and Poppy pictured in 2021)

McIlroy revealed to Kielty that Poppy, who was born in 2020, has shown interest in following in her father’s footsteps. 

‘We got her her first real clubs for her birthday this year,’ the world No. 3 said when asked if he could envision his daughter becoming a golfer.

‘She’s taken a little bit of interest, if she did I would be 100 percent supportive but at the same time I wouldn’t mind if she did something different. It’s not just about being a sportsperson, there’s all the rest of it that comes with it.

‘Especially in this age of social media and all the stuff you have to deal with. So, if it’s your daughter you’re trying to protect her from that as much as you can.’