Rory McIlroy’s love life has seen its fair share of drama – from a called-off wedding to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki to a surprise U-turn on his recent divorce plans
Away from the the golf course, Rory McIlroy’s love life has been far from smooth sailing, marked by high-profile romances, heartbreaks, and speculation.
The Northern Irish golf ace, 35, may be one of Europe’s most successful players, but off the course, his romantic history has been a rollercoaster. Over the years, he’s been linked to several women in the spotlight – and most recently, eyebrows were raised again following an “awkward” post-match interview with CBS Sports presenter Amanda Balionis.
The pair were once rumoured to be romantically involved during a rocky patch in Rory’s marriage to Erica Stoll – a relationship he appeared ready to end before making a dramatic U-turn on divorce proceedings. Fresh from his first career win at Pebble Beach, Rory’s on-camera moment with Amanda reignited chatter about their alleged past, leaving viewers both intrigued and stunned.
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“To win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really really cool. I knew today was gonna be tough, it was gonna be exciting, there were so many guys around the lead,” he told Amanda. The clip was shared on X in February, with one writing: “This is EMBARRASSING to watch these two after the debacle last year off-course.”
Another wrote: “Sure didn’t waste anytime getting that interview up. Wonder why?” A third simply shared: “Awkward” with a grimacing emoji. Here, the Mirror looks back at Rory’s rollercoaster love life.
Meghan Markle rumours
Long before Meghan Markle found happiness with Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex was linked to Rory. Back in the summer of 2014, Meghan – who was at the height of her Suits fame – struck up an unexpected friendship with the golf star. Romance rumours came after he nominated her to do the Ice Bucket Challenge for the ALS Association.
The viral trend saw those taking part throw ice-cold water over themselves and post a video of it on social media to raise awareness of ALS, a type of motor neurone disease. Meghan accepted the nomination on one condition – Rory threw the ice-cold water over her himself. After the video was posted on social media, it was reported the pair enjoyed drinks and dinner in New York.
Shortly afterwards, Meghan gushed about her pal on her former blog, The Tig, calling him the “real deal”. She wrote: “Ah yes. Rory McIlroy. THE Rory McIlroy. Whispered (and shouted) to be the foremost golfer in the world, loved by Tiger, respected by Palmer, and dumper of frigid water on to my lone head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.
“‘He is a force who has the propensity to actually work hard and play hard – relishing intense practices to substantiate his title, embracing nights of sipping Opus One (his bold and impressive choice of wine) and indulging in group dinners at Cipriani – for the balance, of course.
“And yet, beyond his work/play ethic, the most endearing quality of this man is his character – as real and honest as they come, appreciating a simple smile, never shunning a fan photo, enjoying a plate of pasta with veal ragu, and expressing a love for his parents that is rarely seen in men his age. Or at any age, to be honest. He is not just the real deal… he is real. And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished.”
Dating rumours intensified when several months later, in October 2014, they were spotted having dinner together at the trendy Dublin restaurant Fade Street Social. But despite speculation, the pair were never more than friends. In fact, Meghan was said to be dating chef Cory Vitiello.
Brutal break-up
When Rory and Caroline Wozniacki, the former world number one tennis star, announced their engagement in December 2013, it looked like they were on their way to becoming a sporting power couple. The pair had been dating for three years and frequently attended each other’s events, with the swimsuit model even occasionally acting as her partner’s caddy.
However, just months after getting down on one knee on New Year’s Eve, Rory suddenly called it off – reportedly even after the wedding invites had been sent out. According to The Times, Rory phoned his fiancée to inform her of his intentions with a three-minute call that the Dane initially thought was a joke.
His comments about the break-up proved the start of a bitter war of words between the estranged pair. Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2017, he said: “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.”
Divorce U-turn
Rory moved on months after breaking off the engagement and found love with Erica, whom he first met in 2012 while she was working for the PGA in America. In 2017, the couple walked down the aisle in Ashworth Castle, one of Ireland’s top hotels.
The star-studded guest list included Chris Martin from Coldplay and One Direction’s Niall Horan, while there were also performances from Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran. In August 2020, the couple welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, the sportsman opened up about Erica’s admirable lack of “judgement” – and appeared to take a dig at his ex once more. He said: “We met when she was working for the PGA of America, and renting a condo in Palm Beach, and I found it refreshing being with someone who was living a normal life rather than, ‘Oh! My jet is 30 minutes late!’
“I could speak to her about anything, we ended up spending a bit of time together and realised that there was something more there. I love that she knows everything about me, and there was no judgement there. There was no judgement from day one, which is huge, because that’s very hard to find for someone in my position.”
But their happy marriage appeared to come to an end when the shock news that Rory filed for divorce after seven years made headlines. The petition was filed in Palm Beach County State Court in Florida on Monday, May 13, 2024.
“Rory McIlroy’s communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed,” a statement from the 35-year-old’s team read. “They stressed Rory’s desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible. He will not be making any further comment.”
However just a month later, Rory scrapped his divorce plan, as reported DailyMail. The paper reported that Erica failed to respond or even register an attorney by the June 2 deadline. Just two days before the opening round of the US Open, Rory addressed the speculation, confirming they were indeed back together.
Releasing a statement to the Guardian, he said: “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.”
At the time of their reconciliation, Rory had been linked to CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis, 38, after the pair were seen hugging following an interview at the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario. Balionis is married to football coach Bryn Renner, but had been spotted without wearing her wedding ring and reverted back to her maiden name.
The couple has yet to comment on speculation that they have separated. Neither she nor Mcllroy addressed the affair rumours, but an unnamed source told Us Weekly they weren’t dating.
It appears Rory wants to put the speculation behind him as towards the end of last year, his family were there to congratulate him after he made his way off the course at the DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy was able to give his young daughter a big hug in celebration, before embracing with Stoll as the pair shared a kiss.
He then returned to the 18th green a while later for the post-tournament presentation and paid tribute to his family, telling Erica and Poppy: “I love you,” during his victory speech. In the immediate aftermath, an emotional McIlroy revealed what he had been through in the past year.
“Yeah It means a lot,” he declared. “I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. You know, yeah, look, I’ve persevered this year a lot. Had close calls. Wasn’t able to get it done… Really pleased with the way I finished and thankfully I hung on on a tough day and got it done.”
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