Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish golfer and two-time Masters champion, has experienced a series of high-profile relationships alongside his sporting achievements. His first public romance was with Holly Sweeney, whom he dated for six years from the age of 16. After winning the US Open in 2011, McIlroy credited Sweeney with keeping him grounded, describing her as his best friend.
The couple split in 2011, and McIlroy soon began a relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Sweeney later expressed her hurt, saying she had suspected McIlroy's interest in the tennis player. McIlroy and Wozniacki became engaged in 2013 but called off the wedding months later, with McIlroy stating he was not ready for marriage.
McIlroy met his current wife, Erica Stoll, at the 2012 Ryder Cup while still with Wozniacki. They began dating after his split from Wozniacki in 2014, got engaged in 2015, and married in 2017. The couple welcomed a daughter, Poppy, in 2020. In May 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce, but the filing was dismissed a month later, with McIlroy saying they had resolved their differences and looked forward to a new beginning.
During the brief separation, McIlroy was rumoured to have been dating CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis. He has also been linked to Meghan Markle after their friendship in 2014. Now, with Stoll and their daughter, McIlroy is focused on defending his Masters title.
