Rory McIlroy files for divorce from wife Erica Stoll after seven years of marriage

Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll on the eve of the US PGA Championship after seven years of marriage.

Court records show McIlroy submitted a “petition for dissolution of marriage” in Palm Beach County in Florida on Monday, the PA news agency reported.

The reasons for their alleged separation have not been disclosed.

McIlroy filed for divorce the day after winning the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time at Quail Hollow.

And it comes just three days before the beginning of the PGA Championship, the second major golf tournament of the year.

The world number two is scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday afternoon at Valhalla, the scene of his last major victory in 2014.

A spokesperson for McIlroy released a statement which said: "Rory McIlroy's communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed.

"They stressed Rory's desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible. He will not be making any further comment."

McIlroy and Stoll tied the knot in 2017 and share a three-year-old daughter, Poppy, who was born in 2020.

The pair first met during the 2012 Ryder Cup, when Stoll was working for the PGA.

They married at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland in front of a host of celebrity guests including Coldplay singer Chris Martin and One Direction star Niall Horan.

McIlroy recalled his first meeting with Stoll in an interview with the Golf Channel.

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"Erica that week was always the one that was checking us in and out. She was there at transportation, so she was always in the car park over there. But yeah, it's still cool to look around and think about that week, and obviously everything that's happened since then. It's pretty cool," he said.

He later told the Times of his relationship with Stoll: “I am very happy in my love life. We haven't really been putting it out there. She is from America, which is why I like to spend time in Palm Beach … The past six or seven months have been really nice. That part of my life is going great.”

The Standard has contacted representatives of McIlroy for comment.

McIlroy’s spokesman, Aileen Gaskin, told PA: “Rory McIlroy’s communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed. They stressed Rory’s desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible. He will not be making any further comment.”

Three months before his win at Valhalla in 2014, McIlroy broke off his engagement to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki just days after sending out wedding invitations.

McIlroy announced the news the day before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, saying in a statement that he was not ready for marriage.

Although he added he would not make any further comment, he did go on to answer questions at his scheduled pre-tournament press conference.

Looking drained and emotional, McIlroy said: “Obviously (it’s) quite a difficult time for Caroline and myself and I think the statement really said it all this morning.

“It was mutual and amicable and we both thought it was the best for both of us. Time to move on and I think I’ve said all that I need to say.”

Despite trailing Thomas Bjorn by seven shots heading into the final round, McIlroy carded a closing 66 to lift the trophy, finishing a shot ahead of Shane Lowry.