Rory McIlroy’s wife made headlines in 2024 for a reason no fan expected: a divorce filing that shocked the golf world.
Erica Stoll, the woman behind golf’s biggest star, went from a low-key PGA staffer to a fixture at major championships, weathering a very public scare before reconciling with McIlroy just weeks later.
Her story includes a Ryder Cup rescue, a Paris proposal, and a private wedding at an Irish castle.
This article breaks down who she is, how the couple met, and where their marriage stands today. Keep reading for the full timeline of Rory and Erica’s relationship story.
Who is Rory McIlroy?
Rory McIlroy is a professional golfer from Holywood, Northern Ireland, and one of the greatest players of his generation.
Born in 1989, he turned professional in 2007 at just 18 years old after developing his game on local courses.
Since then, he has won the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship to complete the career Grand Slam.
It was during one of those Ryder Cup events that he first met Erica Stoll, who later became his wife.
Erica Stoll at a Glance
Rory McIlroy is married to Erica Stoll, an American who worked behind the scenes in professional golf before their relationship became public.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Erica Stoll McIlroy |
| Hometown | Irondequoit, New York, USA |
| Education | Rochester Institute of Technology (Marketing Degree) |
| Former Employer | PGA of America |
| Spouse | Rory McIlroy (Professional Golfer) |
| Married Since | April 22, 2017 |
| Children | Daughter, Poppy McIlroy (born August 2020) |
Erica Stoll’s Background
Before entering the spotlight, Erica earned a degree in marketing and worked for the PGA of America.
Early Life and Education
Erica Stoll grew up in Irondequoit, New York, where she attended Irondequoit High School, graduating in 2003, and played tennis.
She went on to study at the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 2008 with a degree in marketing.
Her upbringing near Rochester gave her an early connection to organized sports, though her path led toward golf administration rather than competitive play.
Career Before Meeting Rory
After college, Erica Stoll joined the PGA of America as an office manager before the 2008 Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Pittsford, New York.
She later became a manager of championship volunteer operations, overseeing volunteer coordination and event logistics for major tournaments, including the Ryder Cup.
Her work in professional golf eventually led to her meeting her future husband, Rory McIlroy.
How Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll Met
The story of how Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll met has become one of the most retold parts of their relationship, mostly because it did not start as a romance.
Their paths crossed through McIlroy’s career rather than any deliberate introduction, and neither expected the moment to lead anywhere beyond a professional interaction.
What happened that day at the Ryder Cup turned into an anecdote McIlroy has repeated in interviews for years afterward, and it set the stage for a friendship that slowly grew over time.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll’s Relationship Timeline
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll eventually moved from friendship to marriage through a private engagement and an intimate Irish wedding.
Engagement: Rory McIlroy proposed to Erica Stoll in December 2015 during a trip to Paris, marking the next step in a relationship that had grown quietly over several years.
The couple shared news of their engagement publicly not long after, though they offered few details about the proposal itself.
As with most milestones in their relationship, McIlroy and Stoll chose to keep the moment private rather than turn it into a public event.
Wedding Details: McIlroy and Stoll married on April 22, 2017, at Ashford Castle, a historic estate in Cong, County Mayo, Ireland, known for hosting high-profile weddings.
The ceremony drew guests from the golf world and beyond, yet the couple kept nearly every detail out of the press.
Fellow golfer Shane Lowry later defended their choice to keep the wedding out of the public eye:
“Erica very much keeps herself to herself and she’s not into being out there at all, and I think that’s the way they wanted to keep the wedding, so fair play to them.” – Shane Lowry, Irish Independent
Is Rory McIlroy Still Married to Erica Stoll?
Yes, Rory McIlroy is still married to Erica Stoll as of 2026.
The couple faced intense public scrutiny in 2024 after news broke that McIlroy had filed for divorce, a development that surprised fans given how private the pair had always kept their marriage.
Rather than ending the relationship, the filing turned out to be a turning point, and the couple reconciled within weeks and withdrew the case entirely.
Since then, they have continued to appear together at major tournaments and present a united front in public.
Addressing the 2024 Divorce Filing and Reconciliation
On May 13, 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in Palm Beach County, Florida.
He withdrew the filing on June 11, 2024, after the couple reconciled. McIlroy addressed the rumors in a public statement:
“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 realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.” – Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll’s Family
Since marrying in 2017, Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have built a private family life centered around their daughter, Poppy, while balancing homes in Florida and England.
- Rory and Erica welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, on August 31, 2020, in Jupiter, Florida.
- The couple keeps Poppy largely out of the public eye and rarely shares photos of her.
- They divide their time between homes in Jupiter, Florida, a popular base for other PGA pros, and Surrey, England, around Rory’s tournament schedule.
Conclusion
Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, has remained a steady presence in his life since their chance meeting at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
From a private wedding at Ashford Castle to weathering a public divorce filing in 2024, the couple has consistently chosen privacy over publicity while staying together through it all.
Today, they continue to raise their daughter, Poppy, and appear side by side at major tournaments, including the Masters. As McIlroy chases more milestones on the course, Stoll remains firmly by his side.
Want more behind-the-scenes stories on golf’s biggest stars and their families? Explore our latest coverage for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll Live Now?
The couple splits time between a home in Jupiter, Florida, and a property on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey, England.
Where Did Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll Get Married?
They married on April 22, 2017, at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
Did Rory McIlroy Date Anyone Before Erica Stoll?
Yes, McIlroy previously dated tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and was briefly engaged to her before his relationship with Stoll became public.
