Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll’s marriage is out of the rough.
The golf pro, who has been married to his wife for the past seven years, filed for divorce on June 11; however, in a U-turn decision he revoked the filing less than a month later stating that their ‘best future is as a family together.’
The couple, who share a daughter named Poppy, started as friends before their relationship blossomed into something more. Despite being in the public eye, Rory has managed to keep details of his and Erica’s marriage largely under wraps. Here’s everything we know about Rory and Erica’s relationship:
How they met
Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica at the Gala Dinner prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup. Pic: Getty Images
Rory first laid eyes on his future wife Erica in 2012 during the Ryder Cup when she helped him make his tee time for a Sunday singles match after he overslept.
However, the pair didn’t start dating until a couple of years later following his split from tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki.
Speaking to the Times of London in May 2015, Rory teased his new romance with Erica admitting that he was ‘very happy’ and that the past ‘six or seven months have been really nice.’ He added: ‘That part of my life is going great.’
Friends to lovers
Rory McIlroy laughs with his wife Erica during the 2018 Masters Tournament. Pic: Getty Images
At the time he and Erica met, Rory was dating tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. The golf pro and the former PGA employee remained good pals until 2014 when they first started dating.
In 2017, the 35-year-old revealed he ‘loved’ that he and Erica commenced their relationship as friends ‘before anything romantic happened.’
Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll arrive at the opening ceremony for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. Pic: Getty Images
He told the Irish Independent at the time: ‘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”.’
‘There was no judgment from day one, which is huge, because that’s very hard to find for someone in my position,’ Rory continued at the time.
Getting engaged
Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica Stoll. Pic: Instagram
Proving himself to be quite the romantic, Rory popped the question while he and Erica were enjoying a Parisian getaway in December 2015. The golf pro later admitted it had been a ‘nice trip’ and a ‘nice way to end the year.’
Tying the knot
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll. Pic: Anthony Anex/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Rory and Erica tied the knot in the lavish Ashford Castle in Mayo in April 2017.
The lavish wedding was anything but a low-key affair, with huge names in attendance such as One Direction crooner Niall Horan, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and Hollywood heartthrob Jamie Dornan.
Growing their family
Pic: Rory McIlroy / Instagram
Rory and Erica welcomed their first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together on August 31, 2020.
At the time, the golf pro shared the news on social media alongside a black-and-white snap of his new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girl’s tiny hand. He wrote: ‘Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 August 31st, 12:15pm. She is the absolute love of our lives.’
Rory McIlroy with his daughter Poppy. Pic: Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Rory later spoke about becoming a dad and how it made him appreciate his own parents in a different way. He also gushed over getting to experience the world with his daughter.
He told Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1: ‘All those firsts and looking forward to bath time and going into their room in the morning and getting them up out of bed. Just the stuff you take for granted.’
Filing for divorce… and then patching things up
Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy. Pic: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
The star shocked the world when it was announced in May 2024, that he was filing for divorce from his wife, Erica. However, just weeks later in June, Rory did a complete U-turn and decided to give their marriage another go.
He said at the time: ‘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.’
Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter, Poppy McIlroy alongside the DP World Tour Championship trophy and the Race to Dubai trophy. Pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Aside from his personal difficulties in 2024, Rory suffered a number of disappointing results on the green however, he ended the year on a high as he was crowned the Race to Dubai champion in November.
The McIlroys looked to be back to happy families as he celebrated the win with Erica and their adorable four-year-old daughter Poppy.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the victory, Rory said: ‘It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I have persevered this year a lot.’
