According to reports, Erica Stoll, the estranged wife of golf superstar Rory McIlroy, reached a breaking point in their seven-year marriage, leading to the filing of divorce papers last week. The couple’s marriage reportedly faced significant strain due to McIlroy’s demanding travel schedule for the PGA Tour, particularly after the birth of their daughter, Poppy, in August 2020.
Sources close to the couple told Us Weekly that the arrival of their daughter marked a significant change in Stoll’s priorities, which contributed to feelings of loneliness and isolation as McIlroy continued his rigorous professional schedule. “Rory was a hard person to be married to because of his extensive travel for tournaments,” a source explained.
Stoll was notably absent from the Masters tournament last month, and in the divorce filings, McIlroy has requested split custody of their now three-year-old daughter. Despite the personal challenges, McIlroy aims to handle the divorce proceedings respectfully and amicably, as indicated by a statement released by his team ahead of the PGA Championship. McIlroy avoided discussing the divorce at a recent news conference, focusing instead on his readiness for the tournament.
The divorce comes as McIlroy continues to compete at the highest levels of golf, recently finishing tied for 12th at the PGA Championship and preparing for the upcoming RBC Canadian Open.