POT SHOT
Subtle clue Rory McIlroy’s marriage was on the rocks revealed in Mother’s Day video snub hours before filing for divorce
Watch his revealing interview after his Wells Fargo Championship win
RORY McIlroy gave a subtle clue his marriage was on the rocks in a Mother's Day video following his Wells Fargo Championship win.
The top golfer, said to be worth £200 million, filed for divorce from American wife Erica Stoll after submitting documents in Florida on Monday.
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The separation came "out of the blue" and "no one saw it coming", according to one insider.
But the 35-year-old athlete provided a subtle clue that everything was not perfect as he gave an interview on May 12 - which is Mother's Day in the United States.
After winning his fourth Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, he said: "My mum, Rosie, is like the sort of rock or the gel that holds our family together, she always has been.
“I said this last night, I’m probably a lot more like my dad than I am my mum, but I wish I was a little more like my mom at times."
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McIlroy notably did not mention his wife or his mother-in-law Bonnie Stoll - and the next day filed for divorce.
He had previously mentioned Erica on Mother's Day.
In May 2021, Erica brought eight-month-old daughter Poppy to watch dad Rory win that year's Wells Fargo Championship.
Speaking at the time, McIlroy had said: "Really cool for it to be Erica's first Mother's Day and for her to be here with Poppy. Really really cool.
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"It was hard for me not to think of that coming down the last few holes and how cool that would be to see them at the back of the 18th green but I had more pressing issues at the time.
"So it was pretty easy to get it out of my head but really cool for them to be here and to be able to celebrate today."
The Northern Irish star's divorce comes after the couple tied the knot at a star-studded wedding in 2017.
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The three-page divorce petition - lodged with Palm Beach County Court – said the marriage was “irretrievably broken”.
McIlroy's team this week released a statement that 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."
A golf source said: “Their split comes right out of the blue and no one saw it coming.
“The timing is very odd with Rory about to take part in a tournament but perhaps he wanted to get things tied up before it started.
Rory McIlroy seen for first time since filing for divorce from wife Erica as he looks to repeat post-Wozniacki feat
“Ironically, Rory is in some of the best form of his life so whatever has been going on behind the scenes has not affected him at all.
“He is on a hot streak so everything in the garden appeared to be rosy. But he will now be the focus of a lot of attention.
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t affect his form in Kentucky and his game in general.
“But hopefully, with the news out there Rory will be able to focus on the tournament.”
McIlroy was yesterday spotted out on the Valhalla driving range in Kentucky.
Documents filed in the US showed that four-time major champion McIlroy and Erica signed a pre-nuptial agreement in March 2017 before they wed in April that year.
They also revealed the couple had agreed to “shared parental responsibility” for their three-year-old daughter Poppy.
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 - and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year - adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here's a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 - topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 - reached the world top 50.
- 2010 - won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 - Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month - the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE - Ireland's main broadcaster.
- 2012 - lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 - signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 - his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 - Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 - failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 - More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 - A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 - runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 - helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 - struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments - the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
Golf world No 2 McIlroy and Erica first met in September 2012 at the Ryder Cup where she helped him get to the course after he overslept.
At the time, McIlroy was dating Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki – with the pair getting engaged - before splitting in 2014.
His romance with Erica, 36, blossomed the next year.
Erica – who worked for the US PGA when they met – and McIlroy then wed at a lavish ceremony in County Mayo, Ireland.
Guests included Ed Sheeran, One Direction’s Niall Horan and Coldplay singer Chris Martin.
Erica and Poppy have often been by McIlroy's side as he starred at tournaments in recent years.
Rory McIlroy files for divorce from wife Erica
Erica cheered him on at the Ryder Cup in Italy last year and also caddied for him at the Masters Par 3 contest in 2023.
Erica was seen at The Players in March when the PGA Tour shared a heartwarming clip of her and Poppy greeting McIlroy on the 18th green.
The golfer was seen scooping his daughter into his arms for a hug with Erica telling him they had been watching his birdie-birdie finish.
Their split came on the eve of the US PGA Championships in Valhalla, Kentucky, which starts today with McIlroy one of the favourites.
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Yesterday afternoon, a rep for the golfing ace confirmed the split to The Sun.
They said: “A divorce has been filed.”
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