Rory Mcllory and Erica Stoll Bone of contention Revealed.

It was confirmed last week that Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have officially filed for divorce. The announcement came just before the US PGA Championship at Valhalla, with McIlroy’s representatives confirming the split through a public statement.

A spokeswoman for McIlroy’s communications team told The Irish Star, “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.”

The news came as a surprise to many, as there had been no public indication of issues within their marriage. However, Us Weekly quoted a friend of Stoll, revealing that McIlroy’s demanding golf schedule led to feelings of loneliness for Stoll. “A point of contention in Rory’s marriage with Erica was that Erica was lonely in their marriage,” the source said. “Rory was a hard person to be married to. They were living very different lives the last two years with him being on the road, and eventually, she had a breaking point.”

McIlroy, 35, and Stoll were married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in County Mayo. They first met at the 2012 Ryder Cup when Stoll, working for the PGA, helped McIlroy get to the course on time after he overslept due to a time zone mix-up. They began dating three years later, following McIlroy’s breakup with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

In September 2020, the couple welcomed their daughter, Poppy. According to the source, Stoll found it increasingly difficult to balance parenting and supporting McIlroy’s career. “She knew what she was getting into with his profession. But once they had Poppy, things really changed and she had a new perspective. Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy.”

Despite the personal upheaval, McIlroy seemed composed during the US PGA Championship, where he scored a five-under-par 66 in the first round. Although he finished tied for 12th, his performance suggested he was focused on his game. In a pre-tournament press conference, McIlroy declined to comment on his private life but stated, “I’m ready to play this week.”

McIlroy and Stoll’s separation marks the end of a relationship that began with a memorable rescue at the Ryder Cup and developed into a high-profile marriage. As they navigate this challenging period, McIlroy remains committed to maintaining respect and privacy for both himself and Stoll.