Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife Erica on the eve of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Court records show McIlroy submitted a “petition for dissolution of marriage” in Palm Beach County in Florida on Monday.
The Co Down golfer’s communications team confirmed that a divorce had been filed. They stressed his desire to ensure "this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible."
McIlroy said he would not be making any further comment.
The pair met in 2012 when Erica was working for the PGA of America at the Ryder Cup and McIlroy credited her with helping him get a police escort to the course after misreading his tee time for the Sunday singles.
McIlroy made it to the course with just minutes to spare and went on to beat Keegan Bradley as Europe pulled off the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ by recovering from 10-6 behind to retain the trophy.
He and Erica married in 2017 and have one child together, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, who was born in 2020.
McIlroy filed for divorce the day after winning the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time at Quail Hollow.
The world number two is scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday afternoon at Valhalla, the scene of his last major victory in 2014.
