On the golf course, Rory McIlroy is known for having no fear. And he clearly, as evidenced by the PGA Tour-LIV dispute he interjected himself into, doesn’t shy away from controversy. He’s cold as ice.
When it comes to dealing with his divorce, however, McIlroy apparently got a little weak-kneed.
According to the Belfast Telegraph in Ireland, wife Erica Stoll was not given the divorce papers by the PGA golfer himself. Rather, she was served by a private investigator.
The investigator, Carl Woods, is a Palm Beach police officer who also runs a process-serving business.
“Woods turned up unannounced at the McIlroys’ lavish $22 million marital mansion in Jupiter, Florida at 10:30 am ET on May 13 and handed Stoll a copy of McIlroy’s divorce petition,” the Daily Mail reports.
RELATED: Rory McIlroy Reportedly ‘Trying To Find Himself’ After Filing For Divorce From Wife Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy Is Moving On From Divorce Quickly
Rory McIlroy signed the divorce papers four days earlier while competing at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. He won the tournament by 5 strokes over PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele.
The golf world was shocked over the news that Stoll and the top golfer were splitting.
“Their split comes right out of the blue and no one saw it coming,” one source told The Sun.
Other reports indicated that being married to McIlroy left Stoll feeling lonely, perhaps because of the professional golfer lifestyle.
“A point of contention in Rory’s marriage with Erica was that Erica was lonely in their marriage,” an insider told Us Weekly. “Rory was a hard person to be married to.”
RELATED: Rory McIlroy Rumored To Be Dating CBS Reporter Amanda Balionis Amidst His Divorce
Rory Trying To Find Himself
Reports have surfaced indicating that Rory McIlroy is “trying to find himself” following news of the divorce.
“He’s just trying to find himself, focus and get back to winning,” a source told People Magazine.
Just two weeks after signing the divorce papers, McIlroy was rumored to be dating CBS reporter Amanda Balionis, though new reports have tried squashing that claim, saying the pair only have a “professional relationship.”
According to the court documents filed in Palm Beach County, Rory and Erica’s marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
The summons uses cold language to warn Stoll of actions she needs to take going forward.
It reads: “A phone call will not protect you. Your written response, including the case number given above and the names of the parties, must be filed if you want the court to hear your side of the case.”
“If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money and property may thereafter be taken without further warning from the court.”
She has 20 days to do so.
McIlroy has hired Thomas Sasser as his legal representation for the divorce proceedings. Sasser represented Tiger Woods in his 2010 divorce from Elin Nordegren.
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