A body language expert has claimed that there were no signs of Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll putting a "romantic spin" on their holiday as they enjoyed a trip to Portugal after agreeing to shelve plans to divorce.
Body language expert Judi James has discussed with Mirror Sports U.S. what that the pictures of the pair in Portugal, which show them looking casual together as well as enjoying some sun on the beach, may indicate about their relations. She said: "These poses look more functional, with Erica walking ahead of her husband while he appears to be either in a more reflective mood or absorbed in the screen of his phone.
"There is no sign of any body language set pieces here to over-announce any romantic re-engagement after their split: no hand-holding, eye-gazing, or bouts of overkill shared laughter to put the kind of romantic spin on their holiday here in the way that celebs often do when they want to signal a marriage is back on track."
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The Northern Irish superstar jetted off to sunnier climbs after braving the wind and rain at Royal Troon for the Open Championship during an outing to forget in Scotland. The four-time major championships victor missed the cut by six strokes at the iconic course after shooting 11-over-par across 36 holes.
Quickly looking to leave his troubles in Ayrshire behind him, the 35-year-old took a flight from Prestwick Airport to Faro, alongside his long-term partner and their daughter, Poppy. The couple and their child were bound for Almancil on the Algarve, where they have since been pictured enjoying a beach break.
The trip is also significant after McIlroy and Stroll agreed to reconcile after the shock news that the former had filed divorce papers earlier this year. Since then, the pair had a change of heart over the trajectory of their relationship, with their holiday together a major sign that the pair are looking to move forward with their marriage.
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Earlier in the summer, the former world No. 1 golfer confirmed that they were working through their issues, telling The Guardian : "Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.
Of snaps of McIlroy walking on the beach, James speculated "The most uplifting body language seems to be Rory on the beach, striding across sand but not searching for his ball in any bunker, as though truly relaxing and unwinding away from the golf. His posture, with his splayed chest and shoulders, suggest some re-booting of the alpha sportsman state with a hint of peacocking that suggests genuine pleasure and a hint of a confidence re-boot."
Meanwhile, James said of Stoll's demeanor: "Erica seems to have taken a more stylish approach to their break together, wearing smart earrings under the wide brim of her sun hat and holding a hand out to take her child’s hand while letting her wedding and engagement rings be visible in what looks like a gesture of marital continuity."
As for an image of McIlroy looking down at his phone, with Stoll also in shot, she added: "In these photos Rory, dressed like the eternal teen in his Kevin & Perry baseball cap and baggy shorts, seems to be hanging back or walking behind his family rather than leading them.
"Erica is seen face-checking him as though tuning in to read his mood or to speak, while Rory is seen with his eyes on the screen of his phone, but he could be hanging back away from the cameras. When they do walk together Erica has her large beach bag slung between them in what looks like a barrier to anything more tactile."
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