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Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica Stoll appeared to be ‘subdued’ as they celebrated the golf star’s remarkable triumph at the Masters on Sunday.
That’s according to body language expert Judi James, who has also expressed a belief that the Northern Irishman was ‘clingy’ as they basked in the glory of his stunning achievement.
After 17 attempts, McIlroy is now finally a Masters champion.
The Briton fended off competition from Justin Rose to reign supreme and finally achieve the career Grand Slam, joining an elite club in the process.
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After his win, McIlroy and Erica shared a warm embrace with the couple also posing for photographs together.
It comes roughly a year after the couple seemed to be heading for divorce, with the pair instead choosing to reconcile.
Analysing footage of McIlroy and Erica celebrating together, James has now delivered her verdict.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: “Erica uses back pats, which are firstly a gesture of gentle affection but which also usually signal a desire to break from an embrace, while Rory appears much more clingy.
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“Rory looks overwhelmed and clingy, while Erica’s response appears a little more polite, subdued and tempered.”
In another interview with The Mirror, the body language expert added: “His celebratory rituals with wife Erica looked very parent/child.
“Rory puffed loudly as he approached her, with his eyes on her in a gesture of relief and a release of pent-up pressure and stress that seemed to have come up from his boots.
“Rory held both arms out like a small child asking for a hug and when they hug happened, he clung round Erica’s neck like a needy child.
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It was Rose’s second play-off defeat at the Masters, having lost to Sergio Garcia back in 2017.
The 44-year-old did, however, show class by congratulating McIlroy on his brilliant triumph.
“I just said to him this is a historic moment in golf. It’s pretty cool to share that moment with him,” he said.
“I wanted to be the bad guy today but it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.”
Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam when he won the Masters on Sunday
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McIlroy will be hoping to add another major to his collection when the PGA Championship kicks off next month.
The 35-year-old previously won the tournament back in 2014, defeating Phil Mickelson to finish on -16.
