Rory McIlroy has broken his silence on the dramatic divorce U-turn with his wife Erica Stoll, declaring “everything has worked out for the best” in the newly released third season of Netflix’s golf docuseries “Full Swing”.
The four-time major champion briefly addressed the personal turmoil that made headlines last year when he filed for divorce in May 2024, only to reconcile with Stoll a month later.
“Thankfully, everything has worked out for the best and we’re happy and moving forward and I can’t wait for what lies ahead,” McIlroy revealed in the third episode of the series.
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman’s comments mark his first public discussion of the matter since the couple’s reconciliation last June.
Rory McIlroy has spoken about his divorce U-turn for the first time
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In the documentary, McIlroy candidly discusses the challenges of juggling his professional and personal responsibilities.
“Sometimes I’ve struggled with the balance of trying to be the best golfer, trying to be the best husband or the best dad,” he admits.
“Sometimes I get overwhelmed and it can be a little too much for me.”
The golf superstar suggests the divorce filing served as a wake-up call regarding his priorities.
“There’s parts of my life I like to keep as private as possible. Unfortunately, in this line of work, that isn’t always possible,” McIlroy explains.
“I have always been protective of my loved ones from people who have ill intentions.”
He adds: “I think it was a wake-up call for me to say: ‘Let’s just focus on golf for a little bit.’ I have been on tour for 17, 18 years. I like when the attention is on my golf. Sometimes that is impossible.”
The docuseries also captures a revealing conversation between McIlroy and German golfer Martin Kaymer about Stoll’s preferences regarding their living situation.
“If it was up to her, she wouldn’t move to England straightaway, but she definitely wants to spend more time there,” McIlroy confides.
The exchange highlights Stoll’s apparent dislike of Florida’s climate.
Kaymer recalls a previous encounter with Stoll, sharing: “I saw her at a Starbucks once and she said ‘I really don’t like the sun’. I said, ‘Your state’s called the Sunshine State, right?'”
This lighthearted moment, captured by Netflix’s microphones, offers a glimpse into the couple’s domestic considerations.
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Rory McIlroy has admitted his struggles with balancing his golf and family life
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The conversation suggests potential future changes to their living arrangements, with England featuring more prominently in their plans.
McIlroy and Stoll’s relationship began during the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, where she worked as a PGA of America employee.
The couple married in 2017 at Ashford Castle in Ireland, with stars like Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran performing at the ceremony.
They welcomed their daughter Poppy in 2020.
Last May, McIlroy filed for divorce after seven years of marriage, serving Stoll with papers at their Florida home.
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By June, less than a month later, the filing was withdrawn and the couple reconciled.
Following their reunion, McIlroy made a rare statement about his personal life to The Guardian.
“There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game,” he said.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”