Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have been married since 2017 (Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has had a triumphant 2025 and is aiming to secure another victory before the end of the year. The 36-year-old is currently competing in the Australian Open, fresh from securing his seventh Race to Dubai title last month, despite coming second at the DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy kicked off the year with a bang, clinching victories at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Players Championship. In April, he achieved a career milestone by finally winning the Masters in a memorable showdown, completing his career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman, who boasts five major titles in his illustrious career, is one of golf’s most recognisable figures. However, his personal life has occasionally garnered as much attention as his sporting achievements. McIlroy has been married to Erica Stoll since 2017, but it was revealed that the golfing star had filed for divorce in May 2024. However, just a month later, the application was retracted, and McIlroy later confirmed that he and his wife had reconciled. Here’s a look at the Masters champion’s romantic history over the years.
Meghan Markle rumours
Before Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, found her happily ever after with Prince Harry, she was rumoured to have a connection with the golfing ace. In 2014, while Meghan was starring in Suits, she struck up a friendship with McIlroy.
Rumours of a possible romance surfaced after he nominated her for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The viral phenomenon involved participants dousing themselves with icy water and posting videos online to raise awareness for ALS, a type of motor neurone disease. Meghan agreed to participate on one condition – that McIlroy would personally pour the cold water over her. After the video gained traction on social media, stories emerged that the duo had shared drinks and dinner in New York.
Meghan discussed McIlroy on her former blog, The Tig, calling him the “real deal”. She wrote: “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 onto my lone head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.”
She continued: “He is a force who has the propensity to actually work hard and play hard – relishing intense practices to substantiate his title, embracing nights of sipping Opus One (his bold and impressive choice of wine) and indulging in group dinners at Cipriani – for the balance, of course.
Meghan Markle spent time with Rory McIlroy in 2014 (Image: @McIlroyRory/Twitter)
“And yet, beyond his work/play ethic, the most endearing quality of this man is his character – as real and honest as they come, appreciating a simple smile, never shunning a fan photo, enjoying a plate of pasta with veal ragu, and expressing a love for his parents that is rarely seen in men his age. Or at any age, to be honest. He is not just the real deal… he is real. And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished.”
Speculation about a romance persisted in October 2014 when they were seen dining together at Dublin’s Fade Street Social. However, sources close to the situation maintained that Meghan and the golfing sensation were merely friends.
Wozniacki engagement called off
McIlroy’s romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki seemed solid when they got engaged in December 2013 following three years of dating, regularly championing each other’s sporting careers.
However, their wedding plans crumbled when McIlroy ended their relationship. The Times claimed McIlroy broke the news during a brief three-minute phone conversation with Wozniacki, who initially believed he was joking.
In a 2017 interview with the Irish Independent, McIlroy reflected: “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.”
McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki were together for several years before calling off their engagement (Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) Marrying Erica Stoll
After his engagement ended, McIlroy found love again with Erica Stoll, who he had first encountered in 2012 during her time working with the PGA. The couple tied the knot in 2017 at the opulent Ashworth Castle hotel in Ireland, with a glittering array of celebrities in attendance, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin and One Direction’s Niall Horan. The entertainment was provided by musical legends Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran, who serenaded the assembled guests.
McIlroy and Erica welcomed their daughter, Poppy, in August 2020. Speaking to the Irish Independent, McIlroy highlighted the contrast between his relationship with Stoll and his previous romantic encounters.
“We met when she was working for the PGA of America, and renting a condo in Palm Beach, and I found it refreshing being with someone who was living a normal life rather than, ‘Oh! My jet is 30 minutes late!’ he explained.
“I could speak to her about anything, we ended up spending a bit of time together and realised that there was something more there. I love that she knows everything about me, and there was no judgement there. There was no judgement from day one, which is huge, because that’s very hard to find for someone in my position.”
McIlroy and Erica Stoll began their relationship in 2015 (Image: KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)Divorce filing and ‘realisation’
However, their marriage appeared to have hit troubled waters after it was revealed that McIlroy had initiated divorce proceedings after seven years of marriage. The paperwork was lodged with Palm Beach County State Court in Florida on Monday, May 13, 2024.
A statement from McIlroy’s representatives declared: “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.”
However, a month later, the Daily Mail reported that McIlroy had withdrawn his divorce petition. It was suggested that Erica had failed to respond or obtain legal representation by the June 2 deadline.
Before the US Open, McIlroy spoke about the circumstances and confirmed his reunion with Stoll. In a statement provided to the Guardian, he said: “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. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
McIlroy and his family celebrated his Race to Dubai victory in November (Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)Amanda Balionis links
Throughout his and Stoll’s reconciliation phase, McIlroy was connected with CBS Sports journalist Amanda Balionis after an embrace they exchanged following an interview at the RBC Canadian Open. Despite being married to Bryn Renner, Balionis had been seen without her wedding band and had reverted to using her maiden name. Neither Balionis nor McIlroy commented on the relationship speculation, although a source informed US Weekly that they were not romantically linked.
Moving forward
McIlroy seemed eager to move past the rumours as his family were in attendance to witness his triumph at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship. The golfer hugged his young daughter before sharing an affectionate moment with Stoll. During the ceremony on the 18th green, he spoke directly to his family, declaring to Erica and Poppy, “I love you.”
A visibly moved McIlroy then reflected on the challenges he had faced throughout the year. He said: “I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. You know, yeah, look, I’ve persevered this year a lot. Had close calls. Wasn’t able to get it done… Really pleased with the way I finished and thankfully I hung on on a tough day and got it done.”
