Amid the unexpected news of Rory McIlroy’s split from his wife Erica Stoll after seven years of marriage, a source spoke to PEOPLE about the inherent challenges of being married to a professional golfer.
“It’s a hard life being a golfer’s wife,” the source explained. “They’re always away at tournaments and practicing, there has to be a lot of trust.”
The lifestyle demands that golfers spend much time apart from their spouses, and the glamorous tournament environments, populated with enthusiasts and admirers, can add to the strain.
“You either have to join them on tour and go with it or just have trust in them, it’s impossible to expect them to be home and able to help with the kids,” added the insider.
Another source close to McIlroy indicated that he remains “super focused on golf” during this period of personal upheaval, which has surprised his community in Florida as well. This focus comes after a period where McIlroy hasn’t achieved significant wins, despite his efforts. “He went through such a winning phase, and hasn’t done much in the last five-ish years.”
Moreover, McIlroy’s involvement in defending the PGA against the LIV golf league, which culminated in a high-profile merger, felt unrewarding to him, leaving him feeling “somewhat like a sacrificial lamb,” according to the insider. “He’s just trying to find himself, focus and get back to winning,” the source remarked.
On May 17, another insider described McIlroy as “fairly down to earth for such a big star” but emphasized his private nature, especially regarding his personal life. “He just does NOT love the limelight,” they noted.
A second source, familiar with the Bear’s Club golf course in Jupiter, Florida, where McIlroy plays, commented on his reserved nature. “He is so private that there wasn’t a lot of speculation concerning his family life,” they mentioned, adding, “We are wondering what happened.”
McIlroy and Stoll first crossed paths when she was working as a transport official for PGA of America in 2012. At that time, McIlroy was engaged to tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, with whom he broke off an engagement shortly after.
Throughout their relationship, Stoll was a supportive presence at McIlroy’s tournaments, from caddying at the 2023 Masters Par 3 contest to supporting him at the Ryder Cup in Italy.
The couple married on April 22, 2017, in a grand ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, and have a daughter, Poppy, born in 2020.
