Rory McIlroy explains Erica Stoll divorce U-turn as pressure of LIV Golf criticism told

Rory McIlroy has admitted that “the business of golf” became overwhelming, following months of vocal criticism of LIV Golf, before he decided to take a step back from the ongoing conflict in the sport.

McIlroy recently shared insights into why he and his wife, Erica Stoll, decided to call off their divorce plans in June. Prior to this year’s US Open, the couple revealed they had dismissed their divorce petition, which had been filed a month earlier in Palm Beach County State Court, Florida. Shortly afterward, McIlroy faced a disappointing loss at Pinehurst No. 2, surrendering a two-shot lead to eventual champion Bryson DeChambeau with just five holes remaining.

After the defeat, McIlroy announced a temporary break from golf to refocus on his priorities but returned in time for the Genesis Scottish Open in July, where he finished tied for fourth. In a candid conversation with Patrick Kielty on the ‘Late Late Show,’ McIlroy explained that the break was necessary for him to reassess “what was actually important” in his life.

“Sometimes, life can become overwhelming,” McIlroy said. “There has been a lot going on this year, both in golf and personally. I needed to step away from the game more than anything else.” He further explained, “Golf and the business of golf had consumed me over the past couple of years, and I needed to take a step back to realize what truly mattered. My friends, family, and enjoying life became the focus—remembering that I was once a little boy from Holywood who grew up to be what I am today. It was important to enjoy that journey.”

McIlroy’s comment about the “business of golf” alluded to the ongoing conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. A four-time major champion, McIlroy had been a strong critic of LIV during its early days but has since adopted a more tempered approach. He also resigned from the PGA Tour’s Policy Board last year to distance himself from the sport’s governance.

When asked about his daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born in 2020, and whether she might follow in his footsteps, McIlroy shared: “We gave her her first real set of clubs for her birthday this year. She’s shown a little bit of interest, and if she pursued it, I’d be fully supportive. But at the same time, I wouldn’t mind if she chose a different path. There’s more to life than being a professional athlete. In today’s world, with social media and everything else that comes with it, you want to protect your daughter from that as much as you can.”

Addressing the rumors surrounding his personal life in June, McIlroy told *The Guardian*: “There have been some unfortunate rumors about my personal life, but responding to every single one is futile.”

The 35-year-old also reflected on his and Stoll’s change of heart, saying, “Over the past few weeks, Erica and I realized that our best future is together as a family. Thankfully, we have worked through our differences and are excited about a fresh start.”

McIlroy emphasized that his break from golf allowed him to focus on spending more time with his loved ones and to realign his priorities away from the pressures of the sport.