Rory McIlroy calls off divorce before US Open gets underway in Pinehurst

Rory McIlroy's divorce has been called off before the US Open

Divorce off. Rory McIlroy makes marriage U-turn ahead of the 124th US Open at Pinehurst.

On the eve of the third major of the year Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have resolved their differences and are looking forward to a new beginning.

It was just days before the PGA Championship in Valhalla that news emerged Rory McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erika Stoll.

Now, in the latest installment of the McIlroy-major-marriage roulette, it seems the couple has decided to ‘voluntarily dismiss’ the divorce petition, and move forward in harmony.

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,” said McIlroy in a statement.

Just hours beforehand McIlroy had cut a relaxed, confident figure during his pre-tournament press conference at Pinehurst where he buoyantly told the room how “being the most successful European in the game is within my reach.”

The Northern Irishman has been stuck on four Majors for a decade now and changing the narrative can’t come quick enough for the World No.3, who begins his US Open campaign with the season’s first two Major winners – Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.

“Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”

Perhaps saving his marriage will ease the mind and provide that extra boost needed to get the job this week at Pinehurst’s uncompromising No.2 course, where a host of the game’s biggest are expecting one of the toughest tests of the year.

“This golf course is going to test every single aspect of your game, especially mentally, and just the mental discipline that it takes to play this particular golf course, it’s going to take a lot,” said Tiger Woods.

Scottie Scheffler added: “I think the areas around the green are extremely difficult to play out of. I think the golf course is going to play pretty tough this week, but it’ll be a fun test.”

Rory and Erica met in 2012 at the Ryder Cup. At that time Erica was working for the PGA and McIlroy was a part of Team Europe. When the two met, the Northern Irishman was in a relationship with tennis superstar, Caroline Wozniacki, but as that relationship ended his one with Erica began.

The couple had their only child, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, three years after tying the knot.

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Ross Tugwood

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Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

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