Rory McIlroy's relationship with wife Erica Stoll and life off course

Photo shows Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Rory McIlroy sets his sights on securing a second Irish Open crown this week at Royal County Down. The World number three triumphed in the tournament back in 2016 at The K Club and winning again in his home county would hold special meaning for him.

It's been a year of trials and tribulations for McIlroy, both professionally and personally. His pursuit to end his major championships drought was within reach at the US Open in June.

Holding the lead at eight-under-par with just four holes left to play, McIlroy faltered on the final stretch with three costly bogeys, including missed par putts from two and three feet on holes 16 and 18, respectively. Bryson DeChambeau birdied the last hole, securing his second US Open victory.

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Following that disappointment, McIlroy didn't make the cut at The Open, extending his wait for a fifth major title by at least another year, reports the Irish Mirror.

Several personal challenges have also placed McIlroy in the media spotlight, remarkably earlier this year when he initiated divorce proceedings before reversing the decision shortly thereafter.

Cancellation of Divorce Proceedings

Before the PGA Championship at Valhalla, McIlroy's manager Sean O'Flaherty announced the golfer had begun divorce filings from his wife Erica Stoll, with a statement clarifying: "Rory McIlroy's communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed. They stressed Rory's desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible. He will not be making any further comment."

In a surprising update, Rory McIlroy called off the divorce, proclaiming that he and his wife have reconciled. At the time, he released a statement: "There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool's game.

"Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.

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"Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning."

Sharing a look at their journey together, McIlroy and Stoll first crossed paths in 2012, where she famously helped him make a Ryder Cup tee time with a police escort.

Their romance began in earnest in 2015 and saw an enchanting proposal in Paris that December. Two years later, their love culminated in a fairy-tale wedding at Ashford Castle in Co Mayo in 2017, with a star-filled celebration featuring names like Ed Sheeran and Stevie Wonder.

The couple then embraced parenthood in 2020 with the birth of their daughter Poppy. McIlroy, sharing his new-dad joy with Golfweek, expressed: "It's amazing. You see other people having kids and babies, and you'll say congratulations and you're happy for them, but you don't really know how it feels."

McIlroy has spoken about the unconditional love he felt for his daughter from the moment she was born, saying: "You feel like you get to know your baby while she's still in her mother's belly, but to go from not having met this person to having unconditional love for them from one minute to the next, there's nothing like it in the world."

He added: "It's probably the best part of being a human being, and I'm glad that I got to experience it."

Before meeting his wife Erica, McIlroy was in a high-profile relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The couple were engaged to be married but split in 2014, just months before their wedding.

At the time, McIlroy said the separation was amicable, but it was later reported that he had ended the relationship with a brief phone call. Caroline has since confirmed that they have had no contact since the split.

After the break-up, Wozniacki took to Twitter to thank fans for their support, saying: "It's a hard time for me right now. Thanks for all the sweet messages! Happy I support Liverpool right now because I know I'll never walk alone."

McIlroy later admitted that the split was his decision, saying: "There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people. The problem is mine."

Realising he wasn't ready for marriage, he said: "The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had. I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."

After splitting from McIlroy, Wozniacki found love with David Lee, with the pair getting engaged in November 2017 and marrying in June 2019, going on to have two children together.

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