When Netflix premiered its popular golf documentary Full Swing last year there was one noticeable absence: Rory McIlroy's soon to be ex-wife Erica Stoll .
Nearly every golfer on the show chose to let cameras into their homes and many of their partners completed interviews throughout the two seasons.
Some became stars of the series in their own right, like Dustin Johnson's wife Paulina and Brooks Koepka's wife Jena. J oel Dahmen's wife Lona also took part, as did Rickie Fowler's wife Allison and Matt Fitzpatrick's fiancée Katherine.
However, Stoll declined to appear on the show and the Florida home she shares with McIlroy was deemed off limits for the first season. McIlroy also asked the crew to refrain from showing his three-year-old-daughter Poppy on screen.
It apparently took some convincing to get the Northern Ireland man to take part in Full Swing. He said that he initially wanted to watch the first season before deciding whether or not he would be comfortable with the idea.
However, producer Chad Mumm eventually persuaded him to join the cast after the emergence of LIV Golf.
Mumm previously told The Mirror: "We told him we needed his voice, there was no guarantee we could do this again and if he waits, people won't hear from him until 2024 at the earliest and now is the time."
The world number two said yes, but there were some terms.
"I made sure that the parameters were very much: You're not coming to my house, you're not coming in my car, you're not coming anywhere near my family," McIlroy said.
"If you want to do some stuff with me at golf tournaments, that's fine. They were the ground rules that were sort of set."
Stoll has shied away from any media attention since marrying McIlroy in 2017. Their expensive Ashford Castle wedding was kept notoriously private , with no photographs ever leaked from the event.
She also keeps her Instagram account on private and doesn't take part in interviews. McIlroy has spoken about Stoll's avoidance of the spotlight, calling her a "low key person" who is "not the kind to broadcast stuff".
However, the New York native, who used to work for the PGA , has often been seen supporting McIlroy from the sidelines. She previously caddied for him at the Masters Par 3 contest and always brings Poppy to his big tournaments.
McIlroy's friend and fellow PGA star Shane Lowry previously said: "He’s obviously one of the world’s best golfers and a huge celebrity in Ireland, but Erica very much keeps herself to herself and she’s not into being out there at all."
McIlroy confirmed that he had filed for a divorce from Stoll in Florida on Tuesday. He said he hopes the split is "respectful and amicable" and asked for privacy for his family.
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