Golf star Rory McIlroy calls off divorce

By Hoang Trang June 14, 2024 | 04:02 pm PT

Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy, world number two, has voluntarily called off his divorce with his wife, Erica Stoll, as the couple has resolved their differences.

McIlroy has reconciled with Stoll, his wife of seven years, and the divorce papers filed in Florida court, U.S., have been dismissed. The world number two golfer was reported to be in a good mood when he addressed the media at Pinehurst, North Carolina, ahead of the US Open.

"There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game," McIlroy told The Guardian. "Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future is as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning."

Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll. Photo by Instagram/@rorymcilroy

Last week, rumors surfaced that he and CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis were romantically involved after the two were seen hugging each other during an interview. The fact that Balionis, who is married to football coach Bryn Renner, was not wearing a wedding ring further increased suspicion. However, a source revealed to US Weekly that there is nothing going on between the two. Neither McIlroy nor Balionis spoke out about the rumors.

McIlroy called off his divorce just two days before attending the US Open (June 13-16). At the press conference, he told the media: "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."

The couple met when McIlroy overslept at the 2012 Ryder Cup, and Stoll, who was managing the volunteers for the tournament, arranged a police escort to get him there in time. At that time, McIlroy was still dating Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. They called off their engagement in 2014.

In 2015, McIlroy and Stoll started dating, and he proposed in December that year. The couple kept their relationship low-key. They tied the knot in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Poppy, three years later.

McIlroy, 34, has been the number one golfer in the world nine times since 2012, winning 26 PGA Tour titles.