Erica Stoll watches on as Rory McIlroy enjoys impressive return

Rory McIlroy was watched by wife Erica Stoll as he returned to golf for the first time since last month’s US Open, when he suffered a heartbreaking collapse just days after calling off his divorce.  

The Northern Irishman took a break from the sport after a late collapse at Pinehurst last month, which allowed Bryson DeChambeau to win the US Open.

His wife Erica Stoll was among the crowd as McIlroy made his return at the Renaissance Club this week.

The world No 2 is gearing up for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon after a tumultuous few weeks on and off the course.

McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll back in May, only to call it off just days before the US Open at Pinehurst, where he came agonizingly close to ending his decade-long wait for a fifth major. 

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He showed no hangover from that disappointment as he returned to action with a brilliant five-under-par opening round at the Scottish Open. 

Stoll was pictured following her husband around the course, wearing a black coat and a Louis Vuitton crossbody worth $3,400. 

It is believed to be the first time she has watched McIlroy live since the Ryder Cup in Rome last September. 

On Thursday, the Northern Irishman shot five birdies and an eagle during his fine opening round, closing one shot off leader Maximilian Kieffer of Germany.

Earlier this week, he was spotted wearing his wedding ring as he stepped up preparations for the year’s final major. 

McIlroy admitted at a pre-tournament press conference that he had a ‘tough few days’ after his US Open collapse, when he missed two short putts in the closing few holes. 

Only days earlier, he had announced that the divorce was off, despite having initially claimed his seven-year marriage to Stoll was ‘irretrievably broken’.

‘Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,’ McIlroy told The Guardian.

The couple enjoyed a date night with the golfer’s Ryder Cup teammates and their partners in London on Sunday night before heading up to Scotland for this week’s event.