Rory McIlroy pictured with wife and Ryder Cup teammates ahead of golf comeback

Rory McIlroy was all smiles with wife Erica Stoll ahead of his golf comeback. 

McIlroy, 35, filed for divorce from Erica after seven years of marriage before the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla. 

The papers were lodged on 13 May, hours after the Northern Irishman claimed his 26th win at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Court docs stated the reason for the split was that their marriage was 'irretrievably broken'. 

Intense, unsubstantiated speculation then linked McIlroy romantically with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis. 

Then, in a stunning U-turn, it was announced by McIlroy the couple had 'resolved their differences'. 

"There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate," the four-time major winner told the Guardian. 

"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."

McIlroy had a bounce in his step after the announcement and subsequently teed up a golden opportunity to end his 10-year major drought at the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2. 

But he endured likely his toughest loss to date, missing two crucial putts over the closing holes to hand his LIV Golf rival Bryson DeChambeau the opportunity to snatch the major. 

And DeChambeau delivered. 

McIlroy then raised eyebrows when he stormed off in the immediate aftermath without congratulating the American. 

He eventually gave DeChambeau his dues in a statement 24 hours later, but said he was taking a three-week break from the game to reset ahead of his tilt at the final men's major of the year. 

The inquest into what went wrong for McIlroy has been ongoing over the last two weeks. 

Some figures, such as Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney, have claimed he needs to ditch his caddie Harry Diamond. 

McIlroy is in the field for this week's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick. 

He is the defending champion.

McIlroy looked happy on a recent dinner outing with his Ryder Cup teammates. 

He was joined by European captain Luke Donald, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, Tyrrell Hatton and their significant others. 

Whilst McIlroy has congratulated DeChambeau for clinching his second major, he is yet to speak to the media about what he believes went wrong at the US Open. 

McIlroy is scheduled to take part in a news conference on Wednesday where he will likely face a flurry of questions over his latest heartbreak. 

He is the overwhelming favourite to defend the Scottish Open. 

But he will face tough competition with the likes of Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth in the field. 

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