Rory McIlroy's wife Erica Stoll 'misses divorce deadline' as new romance surfaces

The wife of Rory McIlroy, Erica Stoll, will not contest the divorce proceedings. Stoll, 36, was reportedly served the papers at her home in Florida on May 13, just three days before McIlroy teed off at the US PGA Championship.

Stoll, 36, had until Sunday, June 2 to contest the divorce, under Flordia's standard 20 calendar day window.

That deadline has now passed, and according to the Daily Mail, the Palm Beach County Clerk’s office has confirmed she had not lodged a response.

The court could now conceivably grant the Northern Irishman a default divorce. In that scenario, the case would continue without Stroll being able to contest her husband's petition which described their seven year marriage as ‘irretrievably broken'.

On the official paperwork handed to the American, who first met McIlroy at the 2012 Ryder Cup, reportedly stated: "You have 20 calendar days after this summons is served on you to file a written response to the attached petition with the clerk of this circuit court.

"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."

The development comes amid speculation of a new romance for the four-time major winner. McIlroy, 35, was pictured hugging CBS journalist Amanda Balionis on Sunday just minutes after they had finished a TV interview, further fuelling the rumours they are an item.

Since news of McIlroy's divorce, Balionis has allegedly ditched her wedding ring and abandoned her married name. Ahead of the US PGA at Valhalla, the star had refused to take questions on his personal life, instead releasing a personal statement via his representatives.

"Rory McIlroy's communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed," said manager Sean O'Flaherty. "They stressed Rory's desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible."

McIlroy and Stoll married in April 2017 and have one child together, Poppy, who was born in 2020. The pair have previously teamed up on the course, with Stoll caddying for her husband at the par-three event ahead of the Masters at Augusta last April.