Rory McIlroy announces engagement to Erica Stoll

HE famously dumped his tennis star fiance after their wedding invites were sent out. Now golfer Rory McIlroy has announced he’s ready to settle down.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with his girlfriend Erica Stoll after winning the the DP World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, on November 22, 2015. The $8 million DP World Tour Championship features the top-60 players in the Race to Dubai. AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

IT’S round two for golfer Rory McIlroy in the commitment stakes after announcing his engagement to American girlfriend Erica Stoll.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman, who famously dumped tennis star Caroline Wozniacki before their wedding day, confirmed he is ready to settle down with 27-year-old Stoll at a fundraiser in Belfast on Thursday.

Stoll, a PGA employee McIlroy first met in 2012, proudly sported a large, sparkly diamond on her engagement finger at The Paddy Wallace Fund event.

McIlroy, who has dated the blonde for a year, fuelled rumours of an engagement earlier this week after he shared an image of the Eiffel Tower on social media.

Posted by Rory McIlroy on Thursday, December 3, 2015

The former World Number One was previously engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki but reportedly broke up with her over the phone after their wedding invitations had been sent out.

They began dating in 2011 and McIlroy popped the question on New Year’s Eve 2014, but five months later he called off the engagement after realising he “wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.”

This is now ... Rory McIlroy with new squeeze Erica Stoll.

That was then ... Rory McIlroy with Caroline Wozniacki.

“The problem is mine,” he said in a statement.

“I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had.”

The newly-engaged world No. 3 believes he can play even better golf next year after undergoing laser eye surgery this week.

He posted an image of himself post-surgery on his Facebook page.

Human version of the dreaded K-9 cone... only for sleeping though! Laser eye surgery went well yesterday 󾆐󾮗

Posted by Rory McIlroy on Thursday, December 10, 2015

McIlroy, who usually plays in contact lenses, will be bidding for a fifth major, and a career grand slam of all the Big Four titles, at the US Masters in April.

“It (the surgery) was successful,” said McIlroy while speaking at the charity event.

“I had it (Wednesday) morning in Dublin and I woke up and it was like a whole new world, it’s incredible,” he told the BBC.

“I think it should hopefully improve me on the golf course and make everything a little bit sharper, that’s another positive to take into next year.”

McIlroy was out of action for five weeks this year and missed the British Open at St Andrews after rupturing ankle ligaments playing soccer with his friends.

Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods underwent laser eye surgery in 1999 and 2007, winning his first tournament back on both occasions.

Originally published as Rory McIlroy announces engagement to Erica Stoll