Unfortunate! What else can be used to dub Rory McIlroy’s loss to Billy Horschel?! Seems like it’s become almost like a pattern for the Northern Irishman to finish second in every event, right?! But don’t worry about his mental health too much. For the golfer was spotted with his family, daughter Poppy, and wife Erica Stoll, after the unlucky loss to the American. Yes! You read that right! The athlete was spotted with his wife, with whom he almost split up.

The DP World Tour shared a video on its official Instagram handle. It showcased the 35-year-old with his daughter Poppy in his arms. But what surprised the fans wasn’t that. After a few seconds went by, Stoll came by to accompany the father-daughter duo as they were leaving for home, only for them to be spotted sharing a kiss before the same. Can’t help but agree with the caption, right? “Losing is hard. Family makes it easier.”

The two golfers, after a scintillating day of play, finished 20-under overall after four rounds, all the while tying with each other alongside Thriston Lawrence. But an eagle on the second playoff hole at the par-5, 18th helped Horschel clinch his victory over the 4-time major champ. Exciting, albeit a bit unfortunate for McIlroy fans. But all of the fans’ attention was on the kiss and the loving moment that the couple shared, eliciting a lot of reaction from the community.

Rory McIlroy’s relationship status sends fans into a frenzy

“I thought they were getting divorced,” responded a fan as soon as they saw the golfer sharing the heartwarming moment with his wife and daughter. The athlete had, before the start of the 2024 PGA Championship, filed for divorce from Erica Stoll after seven whole years of marriage. Back then, their marriage was said to have been “irretrievably broken,” only for the two to reconcile with each other and stay together. And after watching the recent video, a fan added, “Fair play to them both for making an effort to patch things up.”

The 35-year-old put up figures of 67-68-66-67 to register a score of 20-under 268 over the four days of play. But despite that, a 67-69-65-67 and a remarkable playoff performance by Billy Horschel was able to clinch that victory away from the golfer, making it another loss for him. Moreover, the recent finish makes it his 10th top-5 finish, two of which include wins and four of which are runner-up placements. Truly unlucky, wouldn’t you agree? Well, after the recent video, a couple of fans couldn’t help but react; “Judging by this video, he’s winning,” and “Rory is all class and so is Billy. Winners all around.”

Alright, now let us get back to the golfer’s relationship with his wife and the divorce proceedings that took place back around the 2024 PGA Championship. Interestingly, the pro reportedly retained the same lawyer that successfully helped Tiger Woods divorce Elin Nordegren in 2010, Thomas Sasser. NUCLR GOLF released a report mentioning the same, all the while pointing out how there was a prenup as well. But the couple was able to blow past it all and end up together, causing a follower to hilariously comment, “Smart cause divorce court would’ve been harder LMAO,” under the post.

Seemed like quite a bit of a journey, didn’t it? Especially if you were a Rory McIlroy fan who was beside the golfer amid all the relationship and golfing drama. But despite it all, a moment with his daughter and wife appears to have been the perfect medicine. A fan, notably so, responded, “Family over everything.” And we agree as well!