As Rory McIlroy played the links of Carnoustie in Scotland at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he was cheered on by a friendly face behind the ropes.
Erica Stoll was pictured watching on as McIlroy shot a 69 during what he called a ‘perfect day’ in the multicourse event.
This comes about two weeks after Stoll and McIlroy were snapped kissing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in Surrey.
The Irishman had to settle for a runner-up finish that week behind American Billy Horschel and was filmed hugging his four-year-old daughter Poppy before planting a kiss on Erica.
It was all captured on video posted to social media by the DP World Tour’s Twitter account, with the caption, ‘Losing is hard. Family makes it easier.’
Erica Stoll (R), the wife of Rory McIlroy (L) watched on as her husband played Carnoustie
It’s a positive sign for their relationship after McIlroy reportedly considered divorce this year
It’s a sign in the right direction for the couple after they briefly considered separation earlier this year.
The pair made the stunning decision to call off the divorce less than a month after the 36-year-old Stoll was served papers at their Jupiter, Florida home – informing her that McIlroy wanted to end their marriage.
McIlroy addressed the speculation in a statement to The Guardian just days before the opening round of this summer’s US Open at Pinehurst, which he finished runner-up.
‘There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game,’ McIlroy said.
‘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.’
But Stoll was not the only person that McIlroy shared a moment with at the famed Scottish links. McIlroy was seen walking and talking with Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
The Irishman was also seen laughing it up with Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Al-Rumayyan had met up earlier in the day with Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner
The two were photographed sharing a laugh, although it’s not clear what was being discussed.
Al-Rumayyan had spent time earlier in the day with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a Pro Am event that they were drawn together in.
Monahan and Al-Rumayyan embraced – a sign that golf’s civil war could be coming to a peaceful end after a prolonged 16 months of negotiations.
On Wednesday, McIlroy hinted that there was progress on a settlement between the two sides, saying, ‘There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking.
‘I think it’s a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together. And obviously you’ve got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event.
‘I think what Johann Rupert (who owns Dunhill) the man who runs this event is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit. If we need to be forced together in some way, he’s trying to do that.
‘I think it will be good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.’
McIlroy also said that he hopes there will be a solution by the end of the year, adding, ‘We’re in October so hopefully three months to get something done.’
