Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll: From Ryder Cup Rescue to Family Reconciliation

CHICAGO, Ill. – Rory McIlroy, the world-renowned golfer, and Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee, first crossed paths in 2012 under unusual circumstances during the Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois. Their relationship, which began as a professional connection, has since evolved into a marriage, parenthood, and a recent public reconciliation after a brief divorce filing.

McIlroy, 34, and Stoll, 36, met when Stoll helped the golfer avoid a critical scheduling mishap during the 2012 Ryder Cup. McIlroy had misjudged his tee time due to a time zone confusion, and Stoll, then working in event logistics, ensured he arrived on time. “That professional interaction eventually blossomed into a friendship and later a romantic relationship,” a source close to the couple said.

The couple began dating in 2015 and got engaged later that year during a holiday in Paris. They tied the knot in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in Ireland, a lavish ceremony attended by friends and family. In August 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy.

However, their relationship faced turbulence in May 2024 when McIlroy filed for divorce. The filing shocked fans and media alike, but by June, the couple had reconciled. “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together,” McIlroy said in a statement. “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

McIlroy’s previous high-profile relationship with Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki ended abruptly in 2014, just months after their engagement. Wozniacki, now married to former NBA player David Lee, later revealed that McIlroy had ended their relationship with a brief phone call. “The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails,” McIlroy said at the time.

McIlroy and Stoll now reside primarily in Jupiter, Florida, where they are raising their daughter. Despite the challenges, the couple remains committed to their family. “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate,” McIlroy added. “Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game.”