ERICA STOLL shared a warm embrace with the same ‘mystery blonde’ who hugged Rory McIlroy after his Masters victory.
McIlroy was spotted hugging Justin Rose’s wife Kate after his momentous Augusta National win on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman had a long line of pals waiting to congratulate him after he completed the career Grand Slam.
But one heartfelt moment that caught the eye was McIlroy’s reunion with a ‘mystery blonde’ shortly after he had celebrated with Erica and their daughter Poppy.
McIlroy, 35, was overcome with emotion as he hugged the woman for about 12 seconds in front of live TV cameras next to the 18th hole.
But it transpired that the woman was actually Kate Rose – the wife of the man McIlroy defeated in sudden death.
But a new image shows Kate hugging Erica just seconds after McIlroy had holed the winning putt to claim his first Green Jacket.
Golf reporter Kyle Porter shared the picture on X and added: “Oh wow I didn’t see this one either, but Kate hugged Erica after the putt dropped.”
The tender moment between Kate and McIlroy showed how close he is with Rose, who has now twice lost a playoff to win the Masters.
They have been Ryder Cup teammates for several years and will likely team up again for Europe later this year, when the event is held at Bethpage, just outside New York.
Inside Rory McIlroy's whirlwind love life
RORY MCILROY enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were not disclosed, but the Northern Irishman submitted documents to a court in Florida.
However, a few weeks later, performed a U-turn on their decision to divorce.
McIlroy told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
According to Porter of Normal Sport, Kate told McIlroy: “I’m really, really happy for you.”
It echoed the classy message that her husband sent McIlroy after of one of the most dramatic days in golf history.
The world No 12 wrote on X: “I gave it everything. Congratulations Rory McIlroy on winning the Masters and completing the Grand Slam.
“Very cool sharing the green with you in that moment. Thank you Team Rose as always for all the support during the week.We go again.”
McIlroy actually filed for divorce from Stoll before the US Open last year, before performing a U-turn a few weeks later.
At the time, TMZ reported that the golfer asked for the couple’s prenuptial agreement to be upheld, as well as implementing a shared parenting plan in the documents.
Unfounded rumours swirled about a potential romance with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis after their interviewed aired last year.
Balionis was at Augusta and took to Instagram to document the tournament.
She didn’t include McIlroy in her 14-image picture carousal.
Masters 2025
RORY McILROY finally won the Masters to complete an epic Grand Slam after YEARS of waiting.
The fans’ favourite fell to his knees and roared in celebration after beating Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off.
McIlroy later broke down in an emotional TV interview as he said: “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
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