Rory McIlroy spent between £10million and £14m on plans for a home with wife Erica Stoll before their split, according to reports.
The Northern-Irishman married Stoll back in 2017, with the couple sharing a three-year-old daughter together.
They were pictured smiling happily at the Players Championship in March and their relationship, it seemed, was strong.
Yet McIlroy sent shockwaves around the world earlier this week by filing for divorce, with the decision coming just days before he's due to play in the PGA Championship.
Rory McIlroy made a huge investment for a new home with wife Erica Stoll before they split
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According to The Sun, McIlroy had invested £10m to £14m on plans for a mansion in Wentworth, Surrey.
And a source has claimed many who know the 35-year-old have been left 'blindsided' by the sudden split.
The insider is quoted as saying: “Rory could easily have seen the family’s future at Wentworth and in London — at least up until recently.
“He had spent between £10million and £14million on plans for the home at Wentworth, which he was having built to their specifications.
“Friends of his like the golfers Justin Rose and Ernie Els are based there and it is the home of European golf.
“That’s partly why the news of his divorce was a complete bombshell to people who know Rory.
“Anyone who saw him with Erica at the Players Championship in March would have thought everything was hunky dory — but clearly that was not the case. That is why people have been so blindsided by this.”
McIlroy filed papers with Palm Beach County Court in Florida.
No reason for the split was provided, but it said the marriage was 'irretrievably broken'.
The documents filed in America also showed McIlroy and Stoll had signed a pre-nuptial agreement in March 2017 before wedding the following month.
The paperwork also showed the couple had agreed to 'shared parental responsiblity for Poppy'.
McIlroy, meanwhile, will be looking to end a 10-year wait for a major when he tees off at the PGA Championship.
He recently won the Wells Fargo Championship and appears to be regaining some of his best form.
And McIlroy was in a positive mood when he spoke on Thursday, with the Northern-Irishman admitting he was playing well.
“I feel good,” McIlroy said.
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Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll wed in 2017 after previously meeting at the Ryder Cup
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“Obviously had a great day on Sunday at a golf course that I’ve grown to love over the years and had a lot of success at, coming to a venue where I’ve had some success at before as well.
“Obviously get to go back to Quail Hollow every year. Don’t really get to come back here too much.
"Today was the first time I was on the golf course since 10 years ago, so it was good to refamiliarise myself with the place.
“The golf course is a little different than it was 10 years ago, a little longer.
"A couple little minor changes but for the most part pretty much the same that I can remember.
Rory McIlroy is happy with his form going into this week's PGA Championship
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“Game feels good coming off the back of two wins, a fun one in New Orleans with Shane (Lowry) and then a really good performance last week. Just trying to keep the momentum going.
“Some of the shots that I hit last week, some of the three-quarter shots, some of the wedge shots, some of the iron shots, combined with how good I feel with the driver at the minute, that obviously gives me a lot of confidence.”
