Astonishing claim made about Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll | Golf | Sport

Paul McGinley has made the sensational claim that a fellow PGA Tour golfer’s wife would be a far more suitable partner for Rory McIlroy than his actual wife, Erica Stoll. McIlroy’s marital issues with Stoll became public knowledge in May 2024 when the Northern Irish golfer filed for divorce in Palm Beach County, Florida.

He stated at the time that his marriage was “irretrievably broken” after seven years together. Stoll shunned the spotlight and refused to do interviews or visit McIlroy on tour. However, the couple made a dramatic U-turn and announced just one month later that they had chosen to remain together.

Now, as he looks to defend his Masters title at Augusta National, the 36-year-old’s difficulties have been laid bare in a new book about the five-time major champion’s life.

Alan Shipnuck’s ‘Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar’ offers an in-depth examination of their relationship. Within it, McIlroy’s 2014 Team Europe Ryder Cup captain, McGinley, sensationally suggested McIlroy would have been far better suited to golf rival Padraig Harrington’s wife.

McGinley opened by saying: “It can’t be easy being Rory’s wife. I’m sure it’s not easy for her because she’s quiet by nature.”

He went on to add: “Caroline Harrington would have been perfect as Rory’s wife. She (Caroline) loves Padraig being a professional golfer more than Padraig loves being a professional golfer.

“But Erica is quiet and she kind of keeps her thoughts to herself. She’s had to find where she fits in and where she doesn’t.” McGinley further commented that while McIlroy is a ‘superstar’ with a ‘big personality’, Stoll was nothing like that.

McIlroy married Stoll in 2017 at a glittering ceremony held at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, attended by guests including Stevie Wonder. Stoll had been employed by the PGA of America when she first met McIlroy in 2012 at the Ryder Cup.

According to his close friend Shane Lowry, 2023 proved a “tough spot” for McIlroy. Golf had served as a sanctuary for him until the divorce filing.

Announcing his choice to remain with Stoll, the mother of his daughter Poppy, McIlroy declared in 2024: “Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.”

He described the harrowing experience as a “wake-up call”.

Stoll has since been spotted cheering McIlroy on from the fairways and was subjected to abuse from the crowd at last year’s Ryder Cup. She and Poppy are expected to join him for the traditional par-three contest this week as he bids to claim a second green jacket.