In the week of the US PGA Championship in Kentucky, renowned golfer Rory McIlroy has initiated divorce proceedings with his wife, Erica.
The court documents from Palm Beach County in Florida, submitted on Monday, confirm the Northern Irishman’s request for marriage dissolution.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2017, share a daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born in 2020. A representative for McIlroy has verified the news, emphasizing Rory’s intention to navigate this challenging period with respect and goodwill.
Erica and Rory first crossed paths in 2012 at the Ryder Cup, where Erica was employed by the PGA of America. McIlroy has previously acknowledged her assistance in securing a police escort to the course after he misread his tee time for the Sunday singles. Despite the time crunch, McIlroy managed to defeat Keegan Bradley, contributing to Europe’s ‘Miracle at Medinah’ victory, where they overcame a 10-6 deficit to retain the trophy.
McIlroy, now 35, lodged the divorce papers a day after his fourth triumph at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. The world’s second-ranked golfer is set to address the media at 18:00 BST on Wednesday at Valhalla, as he gears up for the year’s second men’s major, commencing on Thursday.
McIlroy clinched his fourth and most recent major at the Louisville course in 2014. This development may come as a surprise to many, considering McIlroy’s emphasis on family life since his marriage to Erica seven years ago.
He recently reflected on how his outlook has shifted since his pre-marriage days. He stated, “I lived and died by every result,” adding that now, being a husband and a father takes precedence after a round.
From a golfing standpoint, the 35-year-old has demonstrated resilience during personal hardships. In 2014, following his breakup with then-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki, he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the same week. Subsequently, he had a highly successful summer, winning The Open and US PGA Championship.
Just last Sunday, he celebrated a remarkable victory at the Wells Fargo Championship, a day prior to filing his divorce papers. Earlier this month, he also triumphed at the Zurich Classic, playing alongside Shane Lowry.
As he aims for his fifth major title, McIlroy has been spotted on the practice range on Tuesday.
