Rory McIlroy's divorce off as couple look forward to 'new beginning'

Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll have ended divorce proceedings and said they are looking forward to a "new beginning" as a family.

Last month, McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife of seven years on the eve of the PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville.

Just weeks later, the divorce proceedings were closed in a filing in Palm Beach County, Florida - and came just ahead of the start of the US Open at Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Thursday.

McIlroy has gone a decade since winning a major, the last being the PGA Championship in 2014.

In a statement to The Guardian, McIlroy confirmed he and his wife had "resolved" their differences.

The Northern Irishman 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."

Read more on Sky News:
UK economy flatlines in April in blow to Sunak
Storm hits Spanish airport sparking long delays

The couple met in 2012 when she worked for the PGA of America during the Ryder Cup at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs.

McIlroy almost missed the beginning of a match - but Stoll arranged for a police escort to help get him to the course on time.

They began dating two years later before getting married in 2017 and have one daughter, Poppy, who was born in September 2020.