Golf superstar Rory McIlroy has unexpectedly canceled his plans to divorce his wife, Erica, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. On Tuesday afternoon, McIlroy’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal at the Palm Beach County Courthouse. As a result, court officials closed the case, meaning McIlroy, 35, would have to start over if he decides to pursue a divorce in the future.
Initial Divorce Filing
This reversal comes less than a month after Erica, 36, was served with divorce papers at the couple’s home in Jupiter, Florida, on May 13. The papers informed Erica, the mother of McIlroy’s three-year-old daughter Poppy, that McIlroy wanted to end their marriage. The petition gave Erica 20 days to respond, or the court could grant the divorce by default.
Lack of Response
As DailyMail.com previously reported, Erica did not respond or register an attorney by the June 2 deadline. This inaction made more sense when Sasser submitted the dismissal note to the court at 3:21pm on Tuesday, which McIlroy had signed earlier that day. The notice stated, “Petitioner Rory D. McIlroy, by and through the undersigned counsel, hereby voluntarily dismisses, without prejudice, the above-styled matter.”
Court’s Action
Upon receiving a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, the court considers the divorce case closed and marks the file as ‘disposed other.’ Sasser, who also represented Tiger Woods in his 2010 split from Elin Nordegren, did not comment on the sudden change of heart or the couple’s current relationship status.
Divorce Petition Details
McIlroy was preparing for the PGA Championship in Kentucky when the divorce summons was delivered to Erica at their mansion. The petition asked for shared custody of their daughter and for a judge to enforce the prenuptial agreement signed before their 2017 wedding.
Warning Notice
The documents, served by Carl Woods, a Palm Beach cop running a process-serving business, warned Erica: “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.” The notice emphasized that a phone call would not suffice, and failing to respond could result in losing the case.
Recent Speculations
In recent weeks, McIlroy has been linked to CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis, 38. They were seen hugging after an interview at the RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ontario. Although Balionis is married to football coach Bryn Renner, she has been spotted without her wedding ring, fueling speculation about her relationship with McIlroy. However, an unnamed source told Us Weekly that they were not dating.
Public and Private Reactions
When the news of the divorce first broke, McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, confirmed the filing and emphasized McIlroy’s desire for a respectful and amicable process. McIlroy, whose career earnings on the PGA Tour total nearly $87 million, met Erica during the 2012 Ryder Cup while she was working for the PGA of America. They began dating after he ended his engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki in 2014.
Focus on Career
A source close to the tour claimed that McIlroy has been intensely focused on his golf career, aiming to end a decade-long wait for another major win. The source added that McIlroy’s efforts to defend the PGA against LIV Golf had taken a toll on him, and he is now trying to refocus and return to winning
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