Masters champion Rory McIlroy has faced scrutiny on and off the golf course during his sporting career
Rory McIlroy’s love life has been the subject of significant attention during his golf career(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a successful 2025 and hopes to add another title to his name before the end of the year. The 36-year-old is currently competing at the Australian Open, fresh from clinching his seventh Race to Dubai title last month, despite finishing runner-up at the DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy started the year in impressive form, winning the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Players Championship. He then savoured a career highlight in April as he finally clinched the Masters in unforgettable fashion to complete his career Grand Slam.
The Northern Irishman has won five major titles during his iconic career and is one of the most recognisable stars in the sport. However, his personal life has occasionally been in the spotlight just as much as his golfing prowess.
McIlroy has been married to Erica Stoll since 2017, but it emerged that the golf star had filed for divorce last May. However, just a month later, the application was withdrawn, and McIlroy later clarified that he and his wife had reconciled. Here is a look at the Masters champion’s love life over the years.
Meghan Markle rumours
Before Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, discovered her fairy-tale ending with Prince Harry, she was linked with the golf star. In 2014, while Meghan was starring in Suits, she developed a friendship with McIlroy.
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Speculation about a potential romance began after he put her forward for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The internet sensation saw people drenching themselves in freezing water and sharing footage online to highlight ALS, a form of motor neurone disease.
Meghan agreed to take part on one condition – that McIlroy would be the one to tip the chilly water over her. Once the clip went viral on social media, reports emerged that the pair had enjoyed cocktails and a meal together in New York.
Shortly afterwards, Meghan wrote about McIlroy on her former blog, The Tig, describing him as 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.”
Meghan Markle spent time with Rory McIlroy in 2014(Image: @McIlroyRory/Twitter)
She added: “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.
“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.”
Romance rumours continued in October 2014 after they were spotted together at Dublin’s Fade Street Social. Yet, insider sources insisted Meghan and the golf star were not romantically involved.
McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki were together for several years before calling off their engagement(Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)Wozniacki engagement called off
The relationship between McIlroy and former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki appeared strong as they became engaged in December 2013 after three years together, frequently supporting each other’s careers.
However, their wedding plans were halted when, just months after the New Year’s Eve proposal, McIlroy called time on their relationship. According to The Times, McIlroy delivered the news during a three-minute phone call with Wozniacki, who initially thought he was joking.
Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2017, he said: “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 Erica Stoll began their relationship in 2015(Image: KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)Marrying Erica Stoll
Following the collapse of his engagement, McIlroy discovered a new romance with Erica Stoll, whom he’d initially met back in 2012 when she worked for the PGA.
The pair exchanged vows in 2017 at the lavish Ashworth Castle hotel in Ireland, with a star-studded guest list featuring Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and One Direction’s Niall Horan. Entertainment came courtesy of musical icons Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran, who performed for the guests. In August 2020, McIlroy and Erica welcomed their daughter Poppy into the world.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, McIlroy reflected on the difference between being with Stoll and some of his past relationships: “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!’
“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 Stoll quickly reconciled after filing for divorce in 2024(Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)Divorce filing and “realisation”
However, their idyllic marriage appeared to encounter difficulties when reports emerged that McIlroy had filed for divorce after seven years of marriage. It was submitted to the Palm Beach County State Court in Florida on Monday, May 13, 2024.
A statement from McIlroy’s team read: “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, just a month later, the Daily Mail reported McIlroy had retracted his divorce petition. It was claimed that Erica had not responded or secured legal representation by the June 2 deadline.
Before the US Open, McIlroy addressed the situation and confirmed his reconciliation with Stoll. In a statement issued 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
During his and Stoll’s reconciliation period, McIlroy was linked with CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis following an embrace they shared after an interview at the RBC Canadian Open. Though married to football coach Bryn Renner, Balionis had been spotted without her wedding ring and had returned to using her maiden name.
Neither Balionis nor McIlroy addressed the romance claims, though an unnamed source told Us Weekly that they were not romantically involved.
Moving on
McIlroy appeared keen to put the speculation behind him as his family was in attendance to support him winning the 2024 DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy warmly embraced his young daughter before sharing a kiss with Stoll.
During the presentation on the 18th green, he addressed his family, telling Erica and Poppy, “I love you.” An emotional McIlroy then spoke about the difficulties he had endured.
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.”
