
via Getty
NORTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and fiancee Erica Stoll pose with the trophy during the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on September 5, 2016 in Norton, Massachusetts. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

via Getty
NORTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and fiancee Erica Stoll pose with the trophy during the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on September 5, 2016 in Norton, Massachusetts. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
“The support of my family, especially my wife and daughter, means everything.” Rory and Erica’s relationship seems steady, private, and grounded. They’re not flashy or all over the media, but you can tell there’s a strong sense of loyalty and mutual respect between them. Even during their rough patch in May 2024, Rory McIlroy reportedly filed for divorce from Erica, citing the marriage as “irretrievably broken,” reportedly due to the pressures of his tour life and the growing distance at home. But just weeks later, they called it off. Rory said they realized their best future was together and worked through things privately.
Since then, Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica has returned to supporting him at events, and they’ve appeared closer than ever, focusing on their family and a fresh start. Their bond seems rooted in quiet support, shared values, and a strong commitment to family.
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Who is Rory McIlroy’s Wife? Erica Stroll
Erica Stoll grew up in Irondequoit, a quiet suburb of Rochester, New York. She graduated from Irondequoit High School in 2003, where she was known for being sporty and focused, especially on the tennis court. Erica played competitively during high school, showing the kind of drive and discipline that would later come in handy in the professional golf world (even if she didn’t know it yet). She wasn’t chasing the spotlight, but she definitely had her act together.
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After high school, she went on to study marketing at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she graduated in 2008. Erica kept things practical and hardworking. She wasn’t the loudest person in the room, but she knew how to keep things running smoothly, which made her a perfect fit when she eventually joined the PGA of America. Her early years shaped her into someone who prefers being behind the scenes, but always right where the action is.
How Erica Stoll met her future husband (and saved the day)
Stoll was working as a full-time PGA of America employee at the 2012 Ryder Cup. That was McIlroy’s second Ryder Cup appearance, the first on away soil. The Northern Irishman, however, mixed up his tee time, which was 11.25 a.m. CDT. But McIlroy thought it was at 12.25 PM, which was the ET tee time.
A watchful Stoll noticed that McIlroy was missing and alerted the officials. Eventually, McIlroy received a police escort to arrive on time for his Sunday singles match against Keegan Bradley. A 2&1 victory followed one of the most exhilarating comebacks in golf. McIlroy recalled his first meeting with Stoll in an interview with Golf Channel in 2019.
The Northern Irishman said, “Erica that week was always the one that was checking us in and out. She was there at transportation, so she was always in the car park over there. But yeah, it’s still cool to look around and think about that week, and obviously everything that’s happened since then. It’s pretty cool.”
But the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ was significant for McIlroy for a very personal reason as well. Stoll and McIlroy started off as friends. The golf player was just coming off his split with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. They announced their engagement in 2013 but broke up eventually. Stoll and McIlroy started dating in 2014.
Before they went public about their relationship, the Northern Irishman was spotted with Stoll at the local 2Vine restaurant and Magpie pub during the 2015 PGA Championship. In May of the same year, during an interview with the Times of London, McIlroy revealed that they have been dating for a little more than six months.

He said, “I am very happy in my love life. We haven’t really been putting it out there. She is from America, which is why I like to spend time in Palm Beach … The past six or seven months have been really nice. That part of my life is going great,” For McIlroy, Stoll was a breath of fresh air. The 24-time PGA Tour winner said, “I found it refreshing being with someone who was living a normal life rather than, ‘Oh! My jet is 30 minutes late!”
Heaping praise on her further, McIlroy added, “She has been a great influence on me and has given such a great balance to my life, between who I am when people see me out here and who I am at home.” Naturally, a wedding was on the cards, but they waited two more years before walking down the aisle.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll’s Marriage
McIlroy proposed to Stoll in Paris in 2015. After getting engaged, McIlroy talked about how Stoll likes to stay out of the limelight. In an interview with the Irish Independent, he said, “Erica has been around me quite a lot at tournaments, but we have really just tried to keep it low-key. She is a very low-key person, not the kind to broadcast stuff, but that side of my life is really good just now.”
Two years later, they tied the knot at the 13th-century Ashford Castle in Ireland (the famous shooting location of John Ford’s directorial, The Quiet Man). The regal wedding had Stevie Wonder as the musical guest, with cameos from Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin, and Niall Horan. From the golf community, Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry, Thomas Bjorn, Martin Kaymer, and Padraig Harrington were invited. Lowry, however, skipped the wedding because it coincided with his grandmother’s 80th birthday.
Stevie Wonder arrives for Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll’s wedding pic.twitter.com/YWLPs6OncT
— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) April 22, 2017
But the list of high-profile guests didn’t stop there. Billionaire J.P. McManus and actor Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades and Belfast fame were also present. Ryan Giggs, a former Manchester United player, also arrived at the scene. The wedding had more than 200 guests, per the Irish Independent. Whereas, Golfweek put the total cost at $1.2 million. Reportedly, the Northern Irishman put anti-drone technology to good use to keep everything under wraps.
Apparently, Erica and McIlroy went on a private trip to Inchagoill Island. Mid-day at that time noted that the couple also went to Canouan Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after the wedding.
Three years after their marriage, McIlroy and Stoll welcomed their firstborn, Poppy, on August 31, 2020, in Jupiter, where the golfer is currently settled. Last April, both the mother and the daughter were on the greens working as the Ulsterman’s caddie at the Masters. Poppy has accompanied her mother a number of times since then, most recently at the 2024 PLAYERS Championship.
Erica used to work for the PGA
Erica Stoll was born in Irondequoit, New York, in 1988. Stoll grew up in the Rochester suburb alongside her sister Natalie. McIlroy’s wife shares her birthday, September 10, with a legend of the game and the Ulsterman’s hero, Arnold Palmer. They even talked about having a joint birthday party, Rory McIlroy once revealed. But that never happened.
Erica studied at the West Irondequoit school and was an avid tennis player as a kid, per the Democrats and Chronicle. After that, she moved to the Rochester Institute of Technology to study marketing. It was during her final year that she moved closer to golf. The 2008 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, a ten-mile drive from her institute, was the last conviction she needed.
“The way PGA employees present themselves is so admirable and professional. That’s the kind of job I want, and it’s doing something I love,” the Democrat & Chronicle quoted her as saying in 2008. That admiration grew in part because she was working as an on-site office manager for the PGA in the lead-up to the event. Her big moment was Tom Watson walking into her office. And it was only that job that also landed her close to her eventual husband.
Who is Rory McIlroy’s daughter?
Poppy Kennedy McIlroy was born on August 31, 2020, in Jupiter, Florida, which makes her 4 years old. Though Rory and Erica are usually pretty private, Poppy has become a little star in her own right, especially around the golf course. The couple kept the pregnancy quiet until just days before she arrived, choosing to enjoy those moments privately before sharing their joy with the world.
Even at her young age, Poppy has already made plenty of appearances at her dad’s tournaments. She’s best known for showing up at the Masters Par 3 Contest in her mini caddie outfit and walking the course with Rory. She was right by his side again when he won the 2025 Masters, stealing the spotlight with her sweet energy. One funny moment that fans loved? When she skipped congratulating Rory just so she could give golfer Tommy Fleetwood a hug!

via Reuters
Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 6, 2022 Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy with his daughter Poppy Kennedy on the 1st fairway during the par 3 tournament REUTERS/Mike Segar
Outside of tournaments, Poppy seems full of personality and curiosity. Rory once shared that she’s starting to notice his fame, asking, “Daddy, are you famous?” after overhearing others at an event. Becoming a parent has shifted the family’s focus. Rory has said that Poppy helps put things in perspective, and both parents seem committed to keeping her grounded.
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Who are Erica Stoll’s Parents?
Erica Stoll was raised by her parents, Mark and Bonnie Stoll. From the start, her childhood was filled with family traditions when it came to treats for holidays or special events. Erica once even baked goodies for a PGA event, which says a lot about how she blended her home life with her job. Her parents kept things simple, raising Erica and her sister Natalie with strong values, kindness, and a sense of calm that still shows in how Erica carries herself today.
Her parents have always kept a low profile, but the Stolls were big on supporting their daughters, whether it was tennis practice, weekend sailing, or just helping them find their own path. Erica picked up a lot from those early days, being patient, staying organized, and learning to keep cool under pressure, which helped her in her PGA Tour career. Growing up close with her sister also taught her how to be a team player, which really fits the behind-the-scenes role she’s always preferred.
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Erica Strolls’s Instagram
Despite being married to one of golf’s biggest stars, Erica Stoll keeps her social media super low-key. Her only public Instagram is @egm290, which she uses under the name “Erica McIlroy.” It’s a private account with 239 posts, about 207 followers, and minimal activity. She doesn’t post about golf or life in the spotlight; instead, it seems she prefers sharing personal moments with close friends. It’s clear Erica values her privacy and stays grounded, letting Rory’s fame take center stage.
She devotes her life to her daughter and Rory’s career, and it seems she’ll keep doing so for many years to come.
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