How Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll reunited over ‘secret meetings at $22m Florida home over a MONTH’ before divorce U-turn
RORY MCILROY and Erica Stoll reportedly held “secret meetings” to reconcile their marriage.
The couple have decided to remain together after McIlroy, 35, filed for divorce from Stoll last month in court documents that claimed their marriage was “irretrievably broken”.
According to Irish outlet RSVP Live, the pair met in secret at their $22million dollar mansion in Florida to resolve their marital issues.
The couple are said to have met every weekend for four weeks to hash out the divorce.
It’s claimed that the showdown talks were initially focused on how they could co-parent their three-year-old daughter Poppy.
But after lengthy discussions the chats ultimately led to the pair deciding to remain together as a family and ditch plans to divorce.
Stoll, 36, was served divorce papers on May 13 that informed her of her husband’s desire to end the marriage.
The document gave her 20 days to respond with a counterclaim.
However, reports suggest she didn’t hire a lawyer, talk to the media or even respond to the divorce papers.
McIlroy discussed the marriage U-turn in a statement to the Guardian last week.
He said: “There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.
“Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
RSVP Live’s report claims that both McIlroy and Stoll have had to put up a “huge level of trust” in order to work things out.
While their lawyer Thomas J Sasser has since filed a “voluntary dismissal” of the divorce proceedings.
The couple have been married since 2017.
On the course McIlroy has had a turbulent week as he missed out on a chance to win a fifth career major last night at the US Open.
Inside Rory McIlroy's whirlwind love life
Rory McIlroy enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were disclosed, but the Northern Irishman has submitted documents to a court in Florida.
But now, the golfer has dismissed the case, as reported by the Guardian.
He told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
The Northern Irishman missed two short putts – including one from just two feet and six inches out – to blow a two-shot lead heading into the final five holes at Pinehurst.
The golfing star has been waiting nearly 10 years to return to the winner’s circle when it comes to majors.
And he hasn’t lifted the US Open since his 2011 success at Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
McIlroy’s wait to win another major continues after Bryson DeChambeau took full advantage of his sloppy short putting on the back nine to win a second career US Open.
Earlier in the week Rors was spotted practising for the tournament without his wedding ring on, despite calling off his divorce.