In a surprise move, Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife Erica just a week before the start of the US PGA Championship in Kentucky. According to court documents, the Northern Irishman lodged a “petition for dissolution of marriage” in a Florida court on Monday. The couple wed in 2017 and have one child together, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, who was born last year.
McIlroy, who won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time on Sunday, filed for divorce only one day after his victory. Despite the personal upheaval, he is expected to speak to the media at Valhalla on Wednesday, ahead of the championship, which starts on Thursday.
According to a spokesman for the golfer, McIlroy is keen to ensure their separation is “as respectful and amicable as possible”. The couple first met in 2012 when Erica worked for the PGA of America at the Ryder Cup. McIlroy later credited her with helping him get a police escort to the course when he misread his tee time for the Sunday singles. That year, Europe pulled a remarkable comeback to retain the trophy from 10-6 behind, a victory in which McIlroy played a key role.
The news of their planned divorce has shocked many followers of the sport, given how much emphasis McIlroy has placed on creating and maintaining a happy home life. Just a few weeks ago, he spoke of how his perspective had changed since getting married. For him, “after the round you’re just a father.” Although this is obviously a difficult time for McIlroy, he has previously shown resilience in performing at the highest level during turbulent periods in his personal life
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More