Rory McIlroy’s estranged wife, Erica Stoll, reportedly reached “a breaking point” in their seven-year marriage before the PGA Tour star filed divorce documents in Florida on May 13.
“A point of contention in Rory’s marriage with Erica was that Erica was lonely in their marriage,” a source recently told Us Weekly. “Rory was a hard person to be married to.”
McIlroy, 35, and Stoll, a former publicist, “were living very different lives the last two years with him being on the road, and eventually she had a breaking point,” the source said.
Things reportedly changed in the couple’s relationship after they welcomed daughter Poppy, now 3, in August 2020, and parenthood priorities shifted for Stoll while traveling on the Tour.
“She knew what she was getting into with his profession, but once they had Poppy, things really changed and she had a new perspective,” the source told Us Weekly. “Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy.”
She was noticeably absent at the Masters in April, although the family of three participated in the Par 3 contest at Augusta National last year.
McIlroy’s divorce filing also asked for split custody of Poppy.
His camp released a statement last week that “stressed Rory’s desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible.”
McIlroy, a four-time-major champion, was spotted without his wedding ring last Wednesday while practicing at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., ahead of the start of the 2024 PGA Championship — which Xander Schauffele won by a single stroke on the 18th hole.
Stoll was also seen sans her engagement ring while out and about on Wednesday.
Her wedding band, though, appeared “firmly on,” per the Daily Mail.
Stoll had no comment at the time.
In a press conference before the PGA Championship, the media were warned to refrain from asking questions about McIlroy’s personal life amid the divorce news.
Follow the latest on golf star Rory McIlroy’s divorce from Erica Stoll:
- Why Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll are divorcing: ‘Breaking point’
- Rory McIlroy divorce, LIV drama take backset to golf as PGA Championship tees off
Rory McIlroy spotted without wedding ring at PGA Championship two days after divorce filing- Rory McIlroy comments on stunning divorce filing from wife Erica Stoll
- Rory McIlroy divorce docs reveal prenup, relationship was ‘irretrievably broken’
When asked how he was doing on a personal level, McIlroy said: “I’m ready to play this week.”
The Northern Irishman, who last won the PGA Championship in 2014, didn’t crack the top 10.
Schauffele’s victory put him at No. 2 in the world golf rankings and pushed McIlroy to third.
McIlroy is not currently listed in the field of players competing in the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge this week in Fort Worth, Texas.
He is set to play in the RBC Canadian Open, which runs from May 28 through June 2 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario.
