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Inside the 'Mac Pack'! How Rory McIlroy's tight-knit group of school friends have rallied around golf superstar during breakdown of his marriage to Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy has held an emotional reunion with the tight-knit group of mates providing him with a support network during the breakdown of his marriage to Erica Stoll.
The pals, dubbed the 'Mac Pack' all hail from the same leafy Belfast suburb of Holywood where the Northern Irish golf superstar was born and brought up and they gathered this week at the wedding of one of their number.
Set in an idyllic venue in the vine-covered hills overlooking Siena, Rory was one of the ushers for his friend, golf agent Mitchell Tweedie as he married his fiancée Lynsey Agnew, a wealth management specialist.
The event came at a turbulent time in 35-year-old McIlroy's own life, as speculation has grown about a budding romance with US TV reporter Amanda Balionis, 38, a glamorous CBS golf correspondent who was seen to have ditched her own wedding ring in recent days.
The pals, dubbed the 'Mac Pack' (from L-R) Ricky McCormick, golf coach at Holywood golf club, Steven Davidson, brothers Dan Diamond and Harry Diamond, and Mitchell Tweedie the groom and Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy has held an emotional reunion with the tight-knit group of mates providing him with a support network during the breakdown of his marriage to Erica Stoll. Pictured, Rory at the wedding of his friend, golf agent Mitchell Tweedie in Siena, Italy
Set in an idyllic venue in the vine-covered hills overlooking Siena, Rory was one of the ushers for Tweedie as he married his fiancée Lynsey Agnew, a wealth management specialist
Eyebrows were raised when Ms Balionis enjoyed a flirty interview with McIlroy in the wake of his victory in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina earlier this month, before the golfer announced his divorce from Ms Stoll on the eve of the US PGA major.
Unsurprisingly, the members of this select group all share Rory's passion for golf, and several, such as groom Mitchell Tweedie, 33, who is chief operating officer at JMC Sport LLC, also work in the industry.
Others include Rory's best friend and caddy, Harry Diamond. Both he and his younger brother Dan are believed to have been contemporaries of Rory at Holywood's Sullivan Upper School, as well as being talented (if not to McIlroy's standard) golfers and members of Holywood Golf Club.
Harry, who was never a professional golfer, has been caddying for Rory since 2017, when he parted company with his former caddy, veteran JP Fitzgerald.
In 2021, following a win in the Wells Fargo tournament in the US, McIlroy singled out his 'awesome' young caddy Diamond for praise.
Harry also served as best man at Rory's wedding to Erica Stoll, which lasted seven years until he called time on it earlier this month, announcing they were filing for divorce on the eve of the prestigious US PGA competition.
The event came at a turbulent time in 35-year-old McIlroy's own life, as speculation has grown about a budding romance with US TV reporter Amanda Balionis, 38. Pictured, Rory on usher duty at the wedding
Unsurprisingly, the members of this select group all share Rory's passion for golf, and several, such as groom Mitchell Tweedie, 33, who is chief operating officer at JMC Sport LLC, also work in the industry. Pictured: Tuscany, Italy
In 2021, following a win in the Wells Fargo tournament in the US, McIlroy singled out his 'awesome' young caddy Diamond for praise. Pictured, Rory smiles during the speeches at the glamorous event in Siena
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll's marriage reportedly hit 'breaking point' before the divorce filing
One of the McIlroy crew – and a Sullivan old boy - still connected with Holywood Golf Club is Ricky McCormick, who is a coach at the club which is rightly proud of its association with the star.
Rory was at the wedding of another old childhood friend, Steven Davidson, in 2017, when he was hitched to Maura Moore in St Michael's Church, Enniskillen.
This week's wedding in Tuscany was held against the stunning backdrop of a scenic estate in the hills above Siena.
The couple had taken over the entire exclusive Villa di Catignano for their three-day celebration, with more than 100 guests.
The open-air civil ceremony, held on a terrace of the villa, was conducted by celebrant Jo Bertolino and ended with the strains of the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun, and Coldplay's Paradise.
The guests had arrived on Tuesday evening and enjoyed pizza in the villa's beautiful gardens, and on Wednesday witnessed the late-afternoon wedding ceremony itself, before enjoying a traditional wedding breakfast seated at three tables set in a horseshoe in the elegant courtyard.
Instagram footage posted after the event showed that the guests were treated to an a capella performance by a tenor before the speeches.
The couple share a three-year-old daughter Poppy, who was born in 2020 (McIlroy, Poppy and Stoll pictured in 2023)
The open-air civil ceremony, held on a terrace of the villa, was conducted by celebrant Jo Bertolino and ended with the strains of the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun, and Coldplay's Paradise
The guests had arrived on Tuesday evening and enjoyed pizza in the villa's beautiful gardens, and on Wednesday witnessed the late-afternoon wedding ceremony itself, before enjoying a traditional wedding breakfast seated at three tables set in a horseshoe in the elegant courtyard
The wedding was co-planned by Russo Events and international wedding planner Lou Lou Memphis, who splits her year between Australia and Europe
Glamorous photos of the elegant wedding at a villa in Siena were posted on the venue's Instagram
Thursday was designated 'The Cure' on the couple's wedding website, with a barbecue and a chance to enjoy the swimming pool with its idyllic views of the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills.
The wedding was co-planned by Russo Events and international wedding planner Lou Lou Memphis, who splits her year between Australia and Europe.
The bride's makeup was done by professional make-up artist Dawn Rose, flown in especially from Northern Ireland.
It is believed that McIlroy attended the Tuscan wedding alone, not least as the original invitation would almost certainly have been addressed to him and Ms Stoll.
Eyebrows were raised when Ms Balionis enjoyed a flirty interview with McIlroy in the wake of his victory in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina earlier this month, before the golfer announced his divorce from Ms Stoll.
The reasons behind McIlroy's divorce were not immediately apparent, but according to one report, it seems discord had been brewing for some time.
Us Weekly said Ms Stoll was 'lonely' in their marriage, and the four-time major champion was 'a hard person to be married to' due to his playing career.
The two 'were living very different lives the last two years with him being on the road, and eventually she had a breaking point,' according to the outlet.
'She knew what she was getting into with his profession, but once they had (their daughter) Poppy, things really changed, and she had a new perspective. Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy,' Us Weekly said.
McIlroy's camp released a statement shortly after the divorce filing, saying, it 'stressed Rory's desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible.'
Rory and Erica started dating in 2015 after the PGA Tour star and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki broke off their engagement in May 2014. Rory and Erica became engaged later in 2015 and married in April 2017. They share one child together.
Erica McIlroy was a former PGA of America employee. She was seen by his side at several tournaments, including last year's Ryder Cup.