RORY MCILROY looked a broken man as he watched Ireland get thrashed by New Zealand in their World Cup quarter-final clash.
The golf star, who was born in Holyrood, Northern Ireland, was in the stands at the Tokyo Stadium with wife Erica Stoll.
But it wasn’t pleasant viewing – Ireland were 22-0 down at half-time and didn’t get on the scoresheet until 69 minutes.
In the end they were dumped out of the competition with a 46-14 hiding.
That means New Zealand will face England in the semi-finals.
Things aren’t all bad for the 30-year-old golf hero however – in August he bagged the biggest prize in his sport, a cool 12.3million, as he romped to victory at the Tour Championship.
It was the second time in three years the world No 3 has hit the jackpot in the FedEx play-offs although his bonus for finishing top of the pile in 2016 was only just over 8million.
MARRIED IN 2017
It was a fitting way for McIlroy to round off his most consistent season on the PGA Tour. This was his third victory of the year, and there have been 11 other top ten finishes in 16 starts.
Even though he failed to land a Major for the fifth year running, the former world No 1 did manage to win two of the biggest events outside the Big Four he also won the Players Championship at Sawgrass seven months ago.
McIlroy got married to Stoll in April 2017, with a star studded guest list attending the ceremony at Ashford Castle.
The pretty blonde hails from New York, but latterly lived in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
Erica was working for the PGA when Rory met her so she understands the pressures of his job.
They actually first set eyes on each other in 2012 when Rory nearly ruined the Ryder Cup Miracle at Medinah by oversleeping.
Erica was the PGA employee who came to his rescue before police rushed him to the course that September morning.
Although she supports Rory at tournaments worldwide, Erica is said to prefer life away from the cameras and limelight.
But she will be on a comforting job today after her other half watched Ireland thrashed.
