Why Rory McIlroy’s divorce heartache with wife Erica could be a good omen for PGA Championship after Wozniacki split
RORY McILROY has filed for divorce from wife Erica Stoll.
TMZ claim the golfer, 35, submitted documents to a Florida court yesterday.
The reason McIlroy and Stoll, 36, are splitting after seven years of marriage have not been disclosed.
He is competing in the PGA Championship this week – and the omens may be good for the Northern Irishman.
When McIlroy and ex-fiancee Caroline Wozniacki called it quits in 2014, the superstar went on to win this tournament.
After announcing the news just before the Championship, he said at the time: “I’m no different than anyone else.
“Everyone has been through breakups, and it’s obviously very, very difficult.
“But I’m here to try and concentrate on this week and answer questions about golf, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
McIlroy will hope he can follow a similar mentality this week as he looks to snap a Major drought.
He has not won since his PGA triumph ten years ago despite a series of near misses.
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After winning a fourth Wells Fargo Championship last week, he said: “I’ve been sort of banging this drum for the last few years, but I’m a way better player now than I was back then.
“I haven’t had the Major record to back that up, but I’ve had the wins.
“I’ve done everything else there is to do in the game since 2014.
“The only thing I need to do is get another Major.
“You know, a win like this going into the PGA Championship next week is a good way to prep for that.”
RORY'S CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
RORY MCILROY spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – scooping four majors and winning 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland great added the PGA Championship the following year – adding plus the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour.
2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
2009 – reached the world top 50.
2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.