Rory McIlroy has been making headlines for years – and not just for his skills with a golf club. Sure, he's a golfing legend with trophies lining his shelves like Tiger Woods, but his love life is equally interesting.
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Indeed, McIlroy’s personal life has been anything but quiet. Most recently, the 35-year-old cemented his place in golfing history after sensationally winning The Masters on Sunday 13 April, completing a career Grand Slam after years of near-misses. But off the course, the twists and turns of his love life have been just as captivating.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll: Married life and a near divorce
Rory McIlroy married Erica Stoll in 2017 at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland. Their romance began after Erica, who worked for the PGA in America, helped him make his tee time during the 2012 Ryder Cup. The couple married in 2017 and welcomed their daughter Poppy in 2020. They generally kept a low profile, with Erica choosing to stay out of the spotlight. McIlroy once said:
For me, Erica brings such a level of normality to everything.
She has a calming presence, a sereneness, and that’s not just on me; it is noticeable in any company. She never wants to be the centre of attention and is always very comfortable in the background.
She has been a great influence on me and has given such a great balance to my life - between who I am when people see me out here, and who I am at home.
Despite their close bond, in May 2024, McIlroy shocked the public by filing for divorce. As reported by Daily Mail, a petition was served on Erica at their £10 million mansion in Florida.
There were also rumours that the marriage had become strained due to the couple leading separate lives. A source told US Weekly:
She knew what she was getting into with his profession, but once they had Poppy things really changed and she had a new perspective. Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy.
Other reports indicated Erica had been feeling lonely and left out, especially as McIlroy travelled frequently. One insider told Daily Mail:
[Rory] definitely can’t be on his own for more than about five minutes. Rory is a nice guy. He’s a good friend and a great golfer, but he’s not a great partner.
I’m not party to the details of his marriage, but I do know that it’s very unbalanced, with him having all the power and her running in circles after him like a 1950s wife.
However, in June 2024, the couple surprised fans again by reconciling. Rory told The Guardian:
There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool's game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.
Speculation suggested the decision was driven by McIlroy’s fear of losing a large portion of his £200 million fortune. A source said:
Could I be really cynical and say perhaps this is a way of him avoiding a massive payment to her?
There are lots of rumours swirling that he’s done this because he realised how much money he would lose. He’s definitely a man who likes his money.
His wealth is a sign to him of how good he is as a golfer, and he won’t be keen to start splitting that. I think it could be a mixture of the realisation that he won’t see as much of his daughter and will lose half of his money that has made him rethink.
The couple appeared united at the Masters 2025, where McIlroy praised Erica and their daughter Poppy during his victory speech.
With his love life seemingly back on track now, here's a look at some of the women he was linked to and dated before Erica Stolle entered his life.
His rumoured romance with Meghan Markle
Before Meghan Markle met Prince Harry, she was rumoured to have had a connection with Rory McIlroy. According to The Mirror US, the speculation started in 2014 when McIlroy nominated Meghan for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Meghan agreed to participate if Rory poured the ice water himself. Following this, the pair reportedly enjoyed drinks and dinner together in New York.
Writing about McIlroy on her blog The Tig, Meghan said:
Ah yes. Rory McIlroy. THE Rory McIlroy. Whispered (and shouted) to be the foremost golfer in the world, loved by Tiger, respected by Palmer, and dumper of frigid water on to my lone head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.
She praised him further, writing:
He is not just the real deal... he is real. And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished.
Despite the rumours, sources have maintained that their relationship remained platonic, and Meghan was also reportedly dating chef Cory Vitiello at the time.
Engagement and split from Caroline Wozniacki
McIlroy’s most public relationship before Erica was with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The couple got engaged in December 2013 after three years of dating. However, the engagement was called off abruptly in May 2014. As reported by The Mirror, McIlroy ended the relationship via a brief phone call lasting just a few minutes.
Reflecting on the split, McIlroy told the Irish Independent in 2017:
I thought at the time that being with someone that was in a similar position to you was the obvious answer. But it isn't, because you can never get away from it. You can never detach yourself and try to come back to the real world.
Caroline Wozniacki, now married to retired NBA player David Lee, recently appeared at the Masters where she took a subtle dig at her ex. As reported by Mirror, she told ESPN:
David and I, my husband, we always pick a winner before the tournament starts.
We pick one that we think has a big chance of winning, and that was [Ludvig] Aberg.
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: 'Awkward' Erica Stoll's secret pain at the Masters as her husband Rory McIlroy's rumoured 'other woman' ex-girlfriend watches from the sidelines
Town & Country: Meet Rory McIlory’s Wife, Erica Stoll
The Mirror US: Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster love life and 'realization' after filing for divorce
Mirror: Rory McIlroy's ex-girlfriend steals Masters limelight as she fires dig years after dumping
