Erica Stoll watches Rory McIlroy as golf star makes post-U.S. Open return after shocking divorce reversal
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Rory McIlroy was watched by his wife Erica Stoll as he returned to golf for the first time since suffering a heartbreaking breakdown just days after annulling his divorce at last month’s U.S. Open.
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The Northern Irishman is taking a break from golf after collapsing late at Pinehurst last month, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to win the U.S. Open. His wife Erica Stoll was among the crowd as McIlroy made his return to the Renaissance Club this week.
The world number 2 is preparing for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon after a tumultuous few weeks on and off the course. McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in May, just days before the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, which nearly ended his decade-long wait for a fifth major title.
He showed no signs of a hangover from that disappointment when he returned to the court with a brilliant five-under-par first round at the Scottish Open. Stoll was photographed following her husband down the highway wearing a black coat and carrying a $3,400 Louis Vuitton crossbody bag.
It appears this will be her first time watching McIlroy live since the Ryder Cup in Rome last September. On Thursday, the Northern Irishman made five birdies and an eagle during his fine first round, finishing one stroke ahead of German leader Maximilian Kieffer.
Earlier this week he was spotted wearing a wedding ring as he stepped up his preparations for his GCSEs. McIlroy acknowledged in a pre-tournament press conference that he’d had a “tough few days” since collapsing at the U.S. Open after missing two short putts on the final hole.
He and Stoll announced their divorce just days earlier, after initially claiming their seven-year marriage was “irretrievably broken.” \’Over the past few weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future is as a family together. Fortunately, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a fresh start,” McIlroy told the Guardian. The pair enjoyed a romantic evening with the golfer’s teammates and partners at the Ryder Cup in London on Sunday night, before heading to Scotland for events this week.
