Rory McIlroy got married to Erica Stroll in Mayo yesterday, and assuming that the Mayo senior footballers didn't pass the service without paying proper respect to it, it was a pretty spectacular occasion for all involved. The ceremony took place at Ashford Castle, and among the 200 guests was Stevie Wonder, who apparently sang Isn't She Lovely as the couple's first dance, per Ralph Riegel of the Sunday Independent.
Remarkably, Wonder decided at some point that the piano in Ashford was out of tune at a sound check yesterday, so ordered his piano tuner to be flown in from the UK to get it right, via Eavan Murray of The Irish Sun.
Rory McIlroy Wedding Guest List
Other guests included Ireland's Greatest Sports Fan, Niall Horan along with Ed Sheeran and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington were there too, and we hope were seated together at the same table. (Rumour that Garcia will pay a motivational visit to the Mayo footballers while he is there are, as of yet, unfounded).
The guards were on hand to make sure there were no shenanigans.
Gardaí on duty at Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo 'fore' a wedding. No 'drivers' allowed access. The place will be 'wedged' pic.twitter.com/7003IB2QmX
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 22, 2017
Harrington and Garcia have a very strained relationship, stretching back almost a decade, that came to light a couple of weeks ago as the Irishman did punditry over Garcia's maiden major victory. Harrington explained the origin of their dispute on 2FM after the Masters:
It's very simple. Myself and Sergio have been on tour as long as each other. We would have been the opposite. His is a very flamboyant game, everything comes easy. There were periods he never practised. We were such opposites. I worked at it, grinded it out. Got the best out of it.
I’m very strong on the etiquette of the game, so I don’t tolerate people spitting in the hole, throwing their shoes or throwing golf clubs. That would be my attitude. And it would be quite clear where I came from.
Then we went into the majors and obviously I beat him at the majors. I gave him every out I possibly could. I gave him every out I possibly could have at the 2007 Open.
I was as polite as I could and was as generous as I could be, but he was a very sore loser. And he continued to be a very sore loser.
So clearly, after that, we have had a very sticky wicket. The Ryder Cup improved it no end. We say hello to each other every day and it is through gritted teeth, there is no doubt about it. I know he is watching what I am doing and I am watching what he is doing. It is one of those things. He's a rival.
The other golfers present included Paul McGinley, Martin Kaymer, and Thomas Bjorn.
It is estimated that the entire shindig cost around €500,000, and hotel staff were forced to surrender their phones before work so as to guarantee privacy.
[The Irish Sun; Sunday Independent]
See Also: David Walsh Takes Curious Dig At Padraig Harrington Over His Sergio Garcia Comments
