2024 was a year of upheaval for golfing star Rory McIlroy, who found himself in the midst of a public divorce with his wife Erica Stoll. However, following their decision to withdraw the divorce filing, Stoll and their daughter Poppy were present to witness McIlroy’s triumphant playoff victory over American golfer J. J. Spaun, marking his second Players Championship win.
McIlroy made headlines last year when he filed for divorce on the eve of the PGA Championship, only to retract it in June 2024. The couple now seem to be on good terms, with Stoll seen congratulating the Northern Irishman with a kiss after his win, holding their daughter. Addressing rumours about his personal life last summer, McIlroy told The Guardian: “There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate,” adding that “Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.” Following his victory, McIlroy’s daughter Poppy presented him with a red flower. “Poppy picked it for me,” he shared during his press conference, adding: “She gave it to me just after I won. I think there was one more flower in it but it disintegrated in my back pocket. But she, she gave it to me.”
McIlroy secured his win at PC Sawgrass with a score of 14 in the three-hole playoff, beating Spaun’s 17. This marked the 35-year-old’s 28th career PGA victory. “I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players,” he exclaimed. “It’s the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day. It’s been a good luck charm for me.”
The world number two could have sidestepped the playoff had he not mixed a birdie on the 16th with bogeys on the final two holes. “Standing over that tee shot on 16 this morning is the most nervous I’ve been in a long time,” McIlroy confessed.
