Masters Champion Rory McIlroy had a ‘hectic night’ with Meghan Markle prior to his relationship with now wife Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy had a ‘hectic night’ with Meghan Markle prior to his relationship with now wife.
McIlroy became the first back-to-back winner of The Masters since Tiger Woods after claiming a one-shot victory on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman has often had his dating life in the spotlight from childhood romances to controversial splits and a memorable New York celebration with a future duchess.
Following the calling off of his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki in May 2014, McIlroy was briefly linked to Markle.
At the time, Meghan was starring in the USA Network drama Suits.
The pair crossed paths in New York City during the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
McIlroy soaked Markle with ice-cold water, and the two later spent time together at a hotel bar.
Author Tom Bowman described his evening with the future Duchess of Sussex as “hectic” in his book ‘Revenge: The Meghan and Harry Story’.
Those drinks appeared to take their toll on McIlroy’s performance on the course, as he competed in a tournament the very next day.
“The following morning, McIlroy arrived at the Ringwood golf course to play in a new competition,” Bowman wrote. “Worse for wear after a hectic night, he fell back to 101st place. His performance suffered. ‘I wasn’t quite on my game,’ he confessed. ‘I was enjoying myself’.”
Their romance proved short-lived, as Meghan swiftly moved on to pastures new. She would go on to date Prince Harry, tying the knot with the British Royal in 2018.
In the wake of Meghan, McIlroy shied away from the spotlight, vowing to keep any future relationships out of the public domain. However, by 2015 he and Erica Stoll had gone public with their relationship, and Rory proposed in 2016 at a breathtaking French chateau. T
he couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at an Irish castle in 2017, with 200 guests in attendance, including former One Direction member Niall Horan and several golfing colleagues.
Their fairytale relationship hit rocky ground in May 2024 when McIlroy filed for divorce, stating irreconcilable differences after a seven year marriage and the birth of their daughter, Poppy. Rumours about strain from his gruelling tour commitments and unverified links with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis intensified the gossip.
Nevertheless, true to form, Rory put his family first. Just days before their eighth wedding anniversary in 2025, he dropped the divorce application, releasing a joint statement: “We’ve realized that our best is still ahead.”
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