Golf
Rory McIlroy scraps plans for Erica Stoll divorce in stunning about-face
Rory McIlory had a change of heart.
The golf superstar, who previously filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, in May, has now filed a notice of voluntary dismissal in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday, ending the divorce plans just days before the start of the U.S. Open.
The filing, viewed by The Post, was also closed out on Tuesday.
McIlroy spoke to the Guardian, saying that the “rumors” around the couple since May have been “unfortunate” and that he had not himself spoken about his then-impending divorce because it would have been a “fool’s game” to do so.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together,” McIlroy told the Guardian.
“Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
McIlroy, who was first linked with Stoll in 2014 after breaking off his engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, filed for divorce on May 13 after seven years of marriage.
Divorce filings soon revealed that the marriage was “irretrievably broken” and that the two had a prenuptial agreement.
The paperwork also asked for split custody of the couple’s 3-year-old child, Poppy.
McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, confirmed the divorce filing in the days before the PGA Championship in mid-May.
Two days after the divorce filing, McIlroy was seen without his wedding ring at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville as he prepared for the major.
The 35-year-old’s communications team made it abundantly clear that he would not speak about the divorce proceedings at the PGA Championship, but when he was asked about his personal life, McIlroy responded that he was just “ready to play this week.”
He finished the tournament tied for 12th.
Amid the divorce saga, there was buzz surrounding the four-time major champion and CBS Sports golf reporter Amanda Balionis in Louisville, according to the Daily Mail, but Us Weekly reported after the tournament their relationship was strictly professional.
Stoll, pictured in Jupiter, Fla., days after the divorce, was seen without her engagement ring but did appear to have her wedding band on.
At the beginning of June, Stoll missed a crucial deadline to respond to the golfer’s divorce petition in Palm Beach County, the Daily Mail reported.
She had been served the divorce papers — which made clear she had 20 days to respond — at the couple’s Florida home by a private investigator, The Belfast Telegraph first revealed.
McIlroy is slated to tee off Thursday afternoon at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina as he seeks to capture his first major victory in 10 years.
“Obviously, getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while,” McIlroy told reporters this week, “but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”