Golf

Rory McIlroy kisses wife Erica Stoll after crushing loss with divorce drama behind them

By
Jaclyn Hendricks
Published Sep. 23, 2024, 2:50 p.m. ET

Rory McIlroy’s biggest supporters forever have his back.

In the wake of a crušŸ’¦shing playoff loss to Billy Horschel on Sunday in the BMW PGA Championship, the four-time major winner shared a heartfelt moment wife Erica Stoll and their 4-year-old daughter, Poppy.

In footage shared on the DP World Tour’s X account, McIlroy can be seen holding Poppy before Stoll ā€” whom he filed for divorce from eašŸŒŸrlier this year before a stunning reversal ā€” leaned in for a kiss.

Rory McIlroy shared a sweet moment with wife Erica Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, following his BMW PGA Championship loss.
Rory McIlroy shared a sweet moment with wife Erica Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, following his BMW PGA Championship loss. DP World Tour/X
Rory McIlroy shared a sweet moment with wife Erica Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, following his BMW PGA Championship loss.
The couple shared a kiss, months after being at the center of divorce drama. DP World Tour/X

McIlroy, 35, lost to Horschel, 37, on the second playoff hole at Wentworth Club in England, with the American sinš”king an eagle putt on the 18th the win.

ā€œIā€™m thrilled, excited for the way I played,ā€ Horschel told reporters. ā€œI battled out there today. But at the same time, Iā€™m a little disappointed. Rory is a really good friend of mine, and I think the world of him. I think heā€™s a generational talent, and I know howšŸ¦© close heā€™s been this year, so I can feel for himšŸƒ.ā€

McIlory has been plaš’ŠŽgued by professional near-miā›¦sses in 2024.

Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed putt on the 18th green during a second playoff hole at the BMW PGA Championship on Sept. 22, 2024.
Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed putt on the 18th green during a second playoff hole at the BMW PGA Championship on Sept. 22, 2024. Getty Images
McIlroy lost to American Billy Horschel in the tournament.
McIlroy lost to American Billy Horschel in the tournament. Getty Images

The Northern Irishman fell short of a U.S. Open title in June when he collapsed down the stretch and Bryson DeChambeaą¶£u cšŸ¼aptured his second major win.

The tournament came days after McIlroy scrapped his divorce from Stoll, his wife of seven years.

Divorce docs were originally filed in May and stated the union was “irretrievably broken.”

Rory McIlroy with wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy at the 2023 Masters.
Rory McIlroy with wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy at the 2023 Masters. Getty Images
Erica Stoll supported Rory McIlroy at the Genesis Scottish Open in July 2024.
Erica Stoll supported Rory McIlroy at the Genesis Scottish Open in July 2024. Getty Images

An attorney for McIlroy submitted a notice šŸŒžof voluntaryź©² dismissal weeks later, .

ā€œOver the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together,” in a June statement to The Guardian. “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.ā€

Stoll supported McIlroy in July at thšŸ’e Genesis Scottish Open,ź§ƒ where he tied for fourth.

Despite missing out on Sunday’s $1.53 million prize, McIlroy is keeping a positive mindset with limited opportunities remaining in 2024.

“I think if I keep working on the things I am working on on the range, that only bodes well for the future. To work on my swing but still go out there and have a really good chance to win, I am proud of that,” McIlroy said, .

“I’m excited for the future. I’m playing well. I keep giving myself chances. … I just have to dust myself off and get myself ready for the last three events of the year.”