Golf star McIlroy shows family love after fixing marriage
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Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll displayed affection during the Masters Par 3 Contest, demonstrating their reconciled relationship following their near-divorce last year.
The couple appeared in high spirits at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on Wednesday, joined by their daughter Poppy, age 4, as they posed for photographs together.
The traditional pre-tournament event provides professional golfers an opportunity to enjoy quality time with their families on the course before the competition begins.
Rory McIlroy kisses Erica Stoll at Masters after marriage woes and divorce U-turnhttps://t.co/uLDDGo8o47 pic.twitter.com/2RaRIN5zK8
— Mirror Sport (@MirrorSport) April 10, 2025
Both Stoll, 37, and young Poppy were dressed in matching white caddie attire as they accompanied McIlroy around the course. The family’s joy was evident throughout the day, with McIlroy tenderly kissing his wife’s forehead while on the green, indicating their past relationship troubles were behind them.
Their public display of affection comes after McIlroy initiated divorce proceedings in May 2024, citing an “irretrievably broken” marriage after seven years together. At that time, his representative emphasized their desire to handle the separation with mutual respect.
According to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly, Stoll had experienced feelings of isolation in their marriage. “Rory was a hard person to be married to,” the insider said. “[Erica] knew what she was getting into with his profession, but once they had Poppy, things really changed and she had a new perspective,” they added. “Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy.”
Do Rory McIlroy and his wife, Irondequoit native Erica Stoll, have a future LPGA star on their hands? https://t.co/gVMJQB8yB9
— Democrat & Chronicle (@DandC) April 10, 2025
The source revealed that their divergent lifestyles, particularly due to McIlroy’s extensive travel schedule, had created tension over the previous two years until Stoll reached her limit.
However, their separation was short-lived. Just one month after filing for divorce, the couple announced their decision to reconcile. McIlroy withdrew the divorce petition in June 2024, telling the Guardian, “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.”
The couple’s relationship began in 2012 when they met at the Ryder Cup, where Stoll worked as a PGA transport official. At the time, McIlroy was dating tennis professional Caroline Wozniacki. Following his split from Wozniacki in May 2014, McIlroy and Stoll began their romance later that year.
