SUPERSTAR golfer Rory McIlroy is seen without his wedding ring as he hits the greens for the first time since news of his divorce was revealed.
Rory, 35, looked glum as he practised for today’s US PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky.
The world number two filed for divorce from 36-year-old Erica Stoll, his wife of seven years and mother of his three-year-old daughter Poppy, on Monday.
But the news came as a “complete bombshell” to his pals — especially as McIlroy, worth around £200million, had bought a plot of land in Wentworth, Surrey.
He is already believed to have a home in the London area and one in Holywood, Northern Ireland, close to where he grew up.
Last night, a source said: “Rory could easily have seen the family’s future at Wentworth and in London — at least up until recently.
“He had spent between £10million and £14million on plans for the home at Wentworth, which he was having built to their specifications.
“Friends of his like the golfers Justin Rose and Ernie Els are based there and it is the home of European golf.
“That’s partly why the news of his divorce was a complete bombshell to people who know Rory.
“Anyone who saw him with Erica at the Players Championship in March would have thought everything was hunky dory — but clearly that was not the case. That is why people have been so blindsided by this.”
McIlroy filed papers with Palm Beach County Court, Florida. The three-page divorce petition did not reveal a reason for the split, but said the marriage was “irretrievably broken”.
Documents filed in the US showed that the four-time major champion and Erica signed a pre-nuptial agreement in March 2017 before they wed in April that year.
They also revealed the couple had agreed to “shared parental responsibility” for Poppy. She was born in Florida — so is likely to be raised in the US.
McIlroy refused to take any questions about his divorce last night.
By Ciaran Wiseman
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 has now filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce have not been disclosed, but the Northern Irishman has submitted documents to a court in Florida.
