Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday afternoon, finally breaking his curse at Augusta National to achieve his career Grand Slam.
However, McIlroy's personal life has often steered the headlines away from his performances on the greens and fairways. Just 11 months ago, the golfing world was in shock to hear that the 35-year-old had filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, just days before the PGA Championship.
Just a month later, the couple announced that they had put their differences aside, and would remain in matrimony. Since rising to superstardom in 2009, McIlroy has been linked with a number of high-profile females.
Here, the Irish Mirror breaks down McIlroy's relationships over the years - from a friendship with Meghan Markle to a short-lived engagement with Caroline Wozniacki.
Meghan Markle rumours
Before she found her happily ever after with Prince Harry, Markle was rumoured to have had a connection with McIlroy. Back in 2014, the two forged an unlikely friendship with one another, when McIlroy offered an invitation for the Suits actress to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Markle accepted the gauntlet, but only should McIlroy have been the one to pour the ice-cold water on her head - shortly before a video of the challenge was shared on social media. It was then reported that the two enjoyed drinks with one another and dinner in New York.
Soon after, Markle wrote about McIlroy on her now-defunct blog, The Tig. She said: "Ah yes. Rory McIlroy. THE Rory McIlroy. Whispered (and shouted) to be the foremost golfer in the world, loved by Tiger [Woods], respected by [Arnold] Palmer, and dumper of frigid water on to my lone head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy."
She continued: "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."
Rumours of a romance swirled when the two were spotted in October 2014 enjoying a dinner at Dublin's Fade Street Social. However, inside sources claimed that Markle and McIlroy were nothing more than friends.
Brief engagement with Caroline Wozniacki
McIlroy and tennis ace Wozniacki found themselves engaged in December 2013 after three years of dating, but the prospect of marriage was incredibly short-lived.
As per The Times, a brief phone call initiated by McIlroy ended the relationship, with Wozniacki initially dismissing it as a cruel joke. In a 2017 interview with the Irish Independent, McIlroy 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."
Marrying Erica Stoll
After calling off his engagement with Wozniacki, McIlroy reconnected with Erica Stoll - who he had first met in 2012 during her tenure with the PGA in America. The couple tied the knot in 2017 in a lavish ceremony at Ashworth Castle, as guests were serenaded by Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran.
The two welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy in August 2020. Elsewhere in conversation with the Irish Independent, McIlroy said of his relationship with Stoll: "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."
Divorce filing and "realisation"
McIlroy and Stoll's marriage hit a stumbling block in May 2024, when the golfer filed for divorce at the Palm Beach County State Court. A statement read: "Rory McIlroy's communications team confirmed today that a divorce has been filed. 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, a month later, Rory is said to have withdrawn his application, and just two days ahead of the US Open, he addressed rumours circling his love life. He told the Guardian: "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 realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning."
Amanda Balionis links
McIlroy was rumoured to be involved with CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis last year, after the two shared a hug at the RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ontario. Despite her marriage to Bryn Renner, Balionis had been seen without her wedding ring and had reverted to using her maiden name.
The couple remained silent on whispers of separation. Neither Balionis nor McIlroy commented on the allegations of an affair, but an anonymous insider told US Weekly that they were not together.
Moving on
McIlroy seemed eager to leave rumours behind towards the end of last year, seen celebrating with his family after the DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy was spotted hugging his daughter, before kissing Stoll.
During the post-tournament ceremony on the 18th green. he also paid tribute to his loved ones, telling his wife and daughter: "I love you." He added: "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."
