Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll have performed a shocking divorce U-turn just days ahead of the U.S. Open starting. The divorce petition filed was announced just last month, days after McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship, seemingly spelling the end to a seven-year marriage and decade-long relationship.
The pair share a child, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, 3, and she was the main focus in the petition filed in Palm Beach County State Court in Florida last month. “Rory McIlroy’s communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed,” a statement from the 35-year-old’s team read at the time.
“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.”
However, in a dramatic U-turn just days before golf’s third major of 2024, McIlroy has reconciled with Stoll. Court papers served in Florida on Tuesday show the dismissal of the case at the behest of the parties involved and McIlroy was pleased to announce that sticking together was what is best for his family.
“There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game,” McIlroy told the Guardian.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
McIlroy’s wait for a fifth major is stretching a decade and the Northern Irishman arrived in North Carolina for the U.S. Open in optimistic spirits. Last year, he finished runner-up to Wyndham Clark.
“I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors,” McIlroy said. “Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”
McIlroy will partner Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in rounds one and two. Play will get underway on Thursday and run through to Sunday.
The 35-year-old isn’t setting a target on how many titles or majors he wants to win. “I wouldn’t say I have a particular number of wins [as a target],” McIlroy added. “I think the only thing about trying to pick a number is that you’re setting yourself up for failure or disappointment. Tiger [Woods] wanted to surpass Jack [Nicklaus]. It looks like he might not get there, but are we going to call Tiger’s career a failure? Absolutely not. It’s arguably the best. He’s played the best golf anyone’s ever seen.”