Rory McIlroy’s love life has made plenty of headlines over the years.
Rory McIlroy’s dating history has made plenty of headlines over the years, with his love life back in the limelight after filing for divorce from his wife. The 35-year-old filed court documents for the split on Monday after seven years of marriage to Erica Stoll, who he shares a three-year-old daughter with.
Holly Sweeney.
McIlroy began dating his childhood friend Holly Sweeney, now Holly Mason, when he was just 16 years of age. They were together for around eight years, with Sweeney by his side every step of the way on his journey to becoming one of the best golfers in the world.
He was clearly grateful for the support shown by his then-girlfriend, saying in 2011: “She knows me better than basically anyone else in this world does, apart from my parents, and someone like that with you is very grounding.”
The couple suddenly broke things off later that year, with McIlroy saying at the time that the split was ‘amicable’. Sweeney went on to wed hockey player Jeff Mason in 2016 and received a congratulatory message from her former partner when she announced that she was pregnant.
“I’m happy for her,” said McIlroy. “It’s great to see she’s happy.”
Caroline Wozniacki.
Shortly after breaking up with Sweeney, McIlroy began to date tennis star Caroline Wozniacki after reportedly meeting her at a boxing match. They were together for three years before getting engaged in 2013 but things went south just a few months later when they announced they had split.
It was reported that McIlroy broke up with Wozniacki in a three-minute phone call just after they had sent out invitations to their planned wedding. He later explained that it was his decision to end the romance, saying: “There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people.
“The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had.”
McIlroy went on to confess that he struggled to deal with dating another sporting star, admitting in 2017: “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.”
Meghan Markle.
In 2014, Rory McIlroy was rumored to be romantically involved with Meghan Markle after they were observed displaying flirtatious behavior in a social media video. He assisted the former Suits actress in participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral initiative aimed at raising funds for ALS.
Markle later expressed her admiration for McIlroy on her blog, The Tig, stating: “He embodies a remarkable blend of hard work and enjoyment, thriving in rigorous training sessions that affirm his status, while also savoring evenings spent with a glass of Opus One (his bold and impressive wine selection) and enjoying group dinners at Cipriani for a touch of balance.
“Moreover, beyond his admirable work-life balance, the most appealing aspect of this individual is his character, genuine and sincere, valuing a simple smile, never hesitating to take a photo with a fan, relishing a plate of pasta with veal ragu, and demonstrating a rare affection for his parents that is seldom seen in men of his age.
“Or indeed, at any age, to be frank. He is not merely authentic… he is genuinely real. Perhaps this authenticity is what makes him so highly regarded.”
There was no substantial evidence to indicate that McIlroy and Markle had ever been in a romantic relationship, with the Irish Mirror reporting in 2018 that they were “never more than friends.”
Erica Stoll.
McIlroy first encountered his current wife in 2012, and the two maintained a friendship for a period before their relationship evolved into a romantic one. They became engaged in 2015 and subsequently married the following year in a lavish ceremony that featured notable attendees such as Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, and Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay.
In a prior interview with the Irish Independent, McIlroy reflected on their relationship, stating, “What I appreciate most is that we were friends before any romantic feelings developed.”
He recounted their initial meeting when she was employed by the PGA of America and residing in a condo in Palm Beach, expressing his appreciation for her grounded lifestyle, contrasting it with the extravagant experiences he often encountered.
“I feel incredibly content at this stage. I sense that Erica does not wish to alter me in any way. I can truly be myself in her presence. There is no pretense, no performance, no facade.”
In 2018, McIlroy and Stoll welcomed their daughter, Poppy, whom the golfer affectionately described as the “absolute love of their lives.”