ERICA STOLL shared a warm embrace with the same‘mystery blonde' who hugged Rory McIlroyafter his Masters victory.
McIlroy was spotted after his momentous Augusta National win on Sunday.
The Northern Irishmanhad a long line of pals waiting to congratulate him after
But one was McIlroy's reunion with a ‘mystery blonde' shortly after he had celebrated with Erica and their daughter Poppy.
McIlroy, 35, was overcome with emotion as he hugged the woman for about 12 seconds in front of live TV cameras next to the 18th hole.
But it transpired that the woman was actually Kate Rose – the wife of the man McIlroy defeated in sudden death.
But a new image shows Kate hugging Erica just seconds after McIlroy had holed the winning putt to claim his first Green Jacket.
Golf reporter Kyle Porter shared the picture on Xand added: “Oh wow I didn't see this one either, but Kate hugged Erica after the putt dropped.”
The tender moment between Kate and McIlroy showed how close he is with Rose, who has now twice lost a playoff to winthe Masters.
They have beenteammates for several years and will likely team up again for Europe later this year, when the event is held at Bethpage, just outside New York.
According to Porter of Normal Sport, Kate told McIlroy: “I'm really, really happy for you.”
It echoed the classy message that her husband sent McIlroy after of one of the most dramatic days in golf history.
The world No 12 wrote on X: “I gave it everything. Congratulations Rory McIlroy on winning the Masters and completing the Grand Slam.
“Very cool sharing the green with you in that moment. Thank you Team Rose as always for all the support during the week.We go again.”
McIlroy from Stoll before the US Open last year, before performing a
At the time, TMZ reported that the, as well as implementing a shared parenting plan in the documents.
Unfounded rumours swirled about a potential romance with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis after their interviewed aired last year.
Balionis was at Augusta and the tournament.
She didn't include carousal.
