Rory McIlroy’s marriage to Erica Stoll was already fodder for gossip in the golf world before his shocking divorce filing and subsequent dismissal.
“That there were rumors about McIlroy’s love life wasn’t totally surprising given his ribald streak,” author Alan Shipnuck writes in his new book, Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar, per an excerpt published by the Daily Mail on Monday, April 6.
McIlroy, 36, filed for divorce from Stoll, 38, in May 2024 after seven years of marriage, but withdrew the divorce petition just weeks later.
Shipnuck, who formerly wrote for Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine, says Stoll’s elusiveness on the PGA Tour was a point of contention, even comparing her to Tiger Woods’ ex-wife, Elin Nordegren.
“It didn’t help that Erica had become a neo-Elin Woods, never doing any interviews and remaining unknown to the golf public,” Shipnuck writes.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley acknowledges that being married to McIlroy is surely no walk in the park. “It can’t be easy being Rory’s wife,” McGinley, 59, says in the book. “I’m sure it’s not easy for her because she’s quiet by nature.”
McGinley adds, “She kind of keeps her thoughts to herself. She’s had to find where she fits in and where she doesn’t.”
After McIlroy filed for divorce, the couple’s “hasty reconciliation said more about him than her,” according to Shipnuck.
“If you are an internationally famous athlete heading toward becoming a billionaire, it is probably unwise to file for divorce unless you are one million percent certain there is zero chance to save the marriage,” Shipnuck argues. “But McIlroy’s life has been defined by impetuousness, on the golf course and in matters of business and romance.”
The author adds, ”The recklessness is part of what makes him appealing.”
Us Weekly has reached out to McIlroy for comment.
Following the divorce dismissal, McIlroy issued a statement saying, “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together.”
McIlroy and Stoll share daughter, Poppy, now 5.
“Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,” McIlroy’s statement continued. “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game.”
The family has since moved from Florida into a new mansion in London, which came on the heels of McIlroy’s victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament.
Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar is available Tuesday, April 7.
