Golfer Rory McIlroy has been videoed being comforted by his young daughter and wife following his play-off loss at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday.
The Co Down man suffered defeat on the second extra hole when American Billy Horschel prevailed in a three-man play-off. It continues a run of near-misses for the Holywood star, who was also beaten by a shot by Rasmus Hojgaard at the Irish Open last week.
While late errors cost him dearly at the US Open at Pinehurst, at the Olympics in Paris and last week’s home event in Royal County Down, Sunday’s finale was more about Horschel’s nerveless eagle putt at the last than McIlroy letting it slip.
In a video uploaded on DP World Tour’s X account, McIlroy is seen being comforted by his four-year old daughter Poppy, as well as kissing wife Erica Stoll. His interaction with his wife is one of the first times the pair have been seen embracing in public after they called off divorce proceedings at earlier this year.
In May, McIlroy dramatically filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, with Ms Stoll reportedly being served divorce papers at their home in Florida. However, weeks later the couple, who were married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle, confirmed they had reconciled.
The post on the DP World Tour’s social accounts saw an outpouring of support for the Irish golfer, with one fan writing under it: “Wow she sooo looks like her dad. Unlucky Rory great viewing …shame someone has to be second. Next time bud….next time”, while another wrote: “That, my friends, is the purpose and fulfilment of life,” referencing his family in the video.