Meet Rory McIlroy's Wife Erica Stoll (Plus His Exes)

Rory McIlroy is one of the best and one of the most famous golfers in the world, and that means people will be interested in who he's dating. The answer: Nobody these days, because he's a happily married man. Except for date nights with his wife, Erica Stoll, of course.

In this article we'll meet Erica Stoll and recount the great story of how they initially met, plus share some details of their wedding. And because McIlroy had some famous girlfriends in the past, we'll also look back on his pre-married life.

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Erica Stoll, Rory McIlroy Married in April 2017

Erica Stoll photographed in 2016 at the Ryder Cup. — Erica Stoll, photographed at the 2016 Ryder Cup. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are husband-and-wife, and both are heavily involved in the golf world. McIlroy, of course, is one of the world's best golfers, a multiple major champion.

And his American wife Stoll was, at the time of their wedding, the manager of championship volunteer operations for the PGA of America. She is three years older than McIlroy. They met in 2012 and have been a couple — at least a public couple — since at least 2015. That year, on May 21, 2015, to be precise, Stoll and McIlroy were photographed holding hands in public. That was the first public confirmation of a relationship that had only been rumored to that point.

Stoll had worked for the American PGA since 2008.

Stoll and Irishman McIlroy were married on April 22, 2017. The wedding took place at Ashford Castle by the village of Cong in County Mayo, Ireland.

Among McIlroy's fellow golfers in attendance were Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn. One Direction's Niall Horan was also there.

One of the highlights was Stevie Wonder's performance, which reportedly included singing Isn't She Lovely while McIlroy and Stoll had their first dance. The wedding reportedly cost upwards of half a million dollars.

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How Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy Met

Erica Stoll watches Rory McIlroy play the 2016 Dubai Desert Classic. — Erica Stoll, wife of Rory McIlroy, follows her favorite golfer at the Dubai Desert Classic. Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

How did McIlroy and Stoll meet?

The story is quite well known by now: Erica and Rory met when Stoll was the PGA of America employee who noticed that McIlroy was missing from Medinah Country Club on the final day of play at the 2012 Ryder Cup. McIlroy had overslept and was in danger of missing his tee time and forfeiting his singles match. Stoll alerted higher-ups, who roused McIlroy from his slumber and helped him reach the golf course in the nick of time.

At the time they met, McIlroy was dating tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Rory and Erica were just acquaintances, and then friends, for nearly two years before they started dating. That "upgrade" in their relationship happened sometime in 2014. They were first spotted together around New Year's Day 2015 in Ireland.

Today, the couple keep a low profile as Erica is said to prefer staying out of the public eye. She no longer works for the PGA.

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McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki, Danish tennis star, watches her boyfriend Rory McIlroy during the third round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 5, 2011 in Shanghai, China — Caroline Wozniacki in attendance at the 2011 HSBC Champions golf tournament to watch boyfriend Rory McIroy. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and golf star Rory McIlroy seemed, for a while, a match made in sports heaven. But their romance was not one for the long haul.

It did produce plenty of photos of Wozniacki attending McIlroy's golf tournaments, and McIlroy attending Wozniacki's tennis tournaments. It even produced a couple name: "Wozzilroy."

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Wozzilroy

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland alongside his caddie/girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki during the 2014 Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2014 — Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki during the Par-3 Tournament at the 2014 Masters. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Wozniacki and McIlroy started dating in mid-2011, when she was the No. 1-ranked player in women's tennis. Of course, McIlroy would soon enough be the No. 1-ranked player in golf.

They were together for several years and appeared often at one another's events. McIlroy even went onto the tennis courts once during a Wozniacki-Maria Sharapova exhibition match. And Wozniacki caddied for McIlroy during the 2013 Masters Par-3 Tournament and again in 2014.

In late 2013 the couple got engaged. But in May of 2014 — after wedding invitations had gone out — they got unengaged. Apparently it was McIlroy who decided he couldn't go through with getting married and wanted to end the relationship.

But we'll always have the Masters Par-3 tournament.

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Rory's First Love in Ireland: Holly Sweeney

Rory McIlroy and Holly Sweeney in 2011 — Rory McIlroy and then-girlfriend Holly Sweeney in 2011. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Holly Sweeney and Rory McIlroy were sweethearts from their teen years, growing up together in Holywood, County Down, Ireland. In the earliest appearances by McIlroy at professional tournaments, Holly was often there with him.

Sweeney attended the 2010 Ryder Cup with McIlroy, the two of them photographed together prior to the gala ball, and Holly posing for photos with the other European team wives and girlfriends.

One of the last photos of them out in public together was taken at the 2011 European Tour Players Awards gala in May of 2011. They had already broken up once by then, but gotten back together. Not long after that May 2011 dinner, however, the couple split for good.

But they remained friends.

Holly still lives in their hometown of Holywood, with her partner, Jeff Mason, a professional ice hockey player in Belfast. In 2014 they had a son together.

And who visited Holly and Jeff with a present for their baby Max? Rory McIlroy, who, on Oct. 8, 2014, tweeted a photo of the baby wearing the Nike football booties he'd delivered. McIlroy wrote to Holly and Jeff, "Brought my little buddy Max his first pair of Nikes last night! Great seeing you guys."