Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory, impressive fortune, turbulent romantic history, and surprising reversal on his divorce.
Rory McIlroy entered the final round of the Masters holding a two-shot lead and, despite some tense moments, ultimately secured the iconic green jacket at Augusta, completing his career Grand Slam.
After years of pursuit, McIlroy finally claimed the elusive green jacket. His final round was a dramatic ride, ending with a missed opportunity on the 18th hole and a thrilling playoff victory over Justin Rose.
At long last, the coveted green jacket is finally his. Rory McIlroy may have endured a rollercoaster final round at Augusta, culminating in an agonising 18th hole miss and dramatic play-off against Justin Rose, but he ultimately sealed victory in the Masters.
The Northern Irish golfer joined golf’s immortals by winning a dramatic playoff at the expense of Justin Rose and complete his career grand slam – the Masters, the US PGA Championship, the Open Championship and the US Open – becoming the first Brit to achieve the feat.
The Ulsterman recovered from losing a four-shot lead on the back nine – and missing a five-foot par putt on the 72nd green for the title – to beat Rose in a showing of resilience and cojones. It is the world No.2’s fifth Major – and his first since the 2014 US PGA.
At the age of the 35, he becomes only the sixth man to win all four Majors after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods, a career-defining moment for a player widely admired as one of the sport’s biggest-ever talents.
“My 17th time here,” said McIlroy. “I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. The last 10 years coming with the burden of Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that. I wonder what we are all going to talk about coming into next year. I am so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
His Masters success comes on the back of several tumultuous years away from the golf course also, where there have been numerous upheavals.
Here’s everything you need to know about his life outside of golf, including his marriage U-turn, his connection with Meghan Markle, and his impressive body transformation.
Marriage U-turn.
Although Rory McIlroy initially filed for divorce last year, he remains married to his wife, Erica Stoll.
The pair, who tied the knot in 2017 and share a daughter named Poppy, appeared headed for separation after McIlroy filed for divorce just a day after winning a PGA Tour event in May. But within a month, he reconsidered.
Addressing the situation, McIlroy said, “There’s been speculation about my private life, which is unfortunate. Responding to every rumor isn’t worth it. Over recent weeks, Erica and I came to realize that staying together as a family is what’s best for us. We’re grateful to have worked through our issues and are looking forward to a fresh start.”
Amidst the drama, rumors circulated about McIlroy’s relationship with CBS Sports host Amanda Balionis, sparked by a post-interview hug at the Canadian Open. However, the two are just friends.
The Wozniacki Split
McIlroy has had his share of public relationships. He was once engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki after dating her for three years. Their engagement was announced in December 2013, but the relationship ended abruptly when McIlroy reportedly broke it off with a brief phone call—just after wedding invitations had been sent out. Wozniacki was initially stunned, thinking it was a joke.
Reflecting on his past in an interview with the Irish Independent, McIlroy said, “At the time, I thought being with someone in a similar situation made sense. But it doesn’t work that way—you can’t escape it, and you’re never able to reconnect with reality.”
Rumors Involving Meghan Markle
After parting ways with Wozniacki, McIlroy was rumored to be romantically linked to Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex.
In the summer of 2014, during Markle’s Suits fame, she and McIlroy developed a brief friendship. He nominated her for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which she accepted—on the condition that he pour the ice water himself.
After posting the video, reports emerged that they shared drinks and dinner in New York. Meghan later wrote about McIlroy on her former blog The Tig, calling him the “real deal.” She wrote, “Ah yes. Rory McIlroy. THE Rory McIlroy. Hailed as one of the best golfers in the world, admired by Tiger Woods, respected by Arnold Palmer, and the guy who dumped freezing water on my head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.”
