Rory McIlroy’s divorce off before US Open as couple resolve differences

Rory McIlroy’s confident attitude ahead of this week’s US Open at Pinehurst has been further explained after it emerged the divorce petition he filed in a Florida court last month had been voluntarily dismissed. McIlroy has reconciled with Erica, his wife of seven years, in what is likely to be a huge boost to the golfer’s mood.

In the immediate run-up to the US PGA Championship, shocking news emerged that would see the world number 2 parted ways. However, court documents filed in Florida on Tuesday show that the case was dismissed at the insistence of the parties involved. McIlroy appeared to be in a noticeably cheerful mood as he addressed the media at Pinehurst earlier in the day.

Contacted the Guardian about the divorce situation and feverish speculation between the last two majors about his situation, McIlroy said: “There have been rumors about my personal life lately, which is a shame. Responding to every rumor is a fool’s game.

“Over the past few weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future as a family was together. Fortunately, we have resolved our differences and are looking forward to a new beginning.”

McIlroy arrived in North Carolina to end the wait for a fifth major dating back to August 2014. The Northern Irishman will team up with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in rounds one and two.

“I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything I’ve achieved, whether it’s season titles, individual tournaments or majors,” said McIlroy.

“It’s obviously taken a while to get a fifth major, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”