EXCLUSIVE: Rory McIlroy’s Trouble with Women: Friends of His Exes and Hometown Criticize His Overinflated Ego and ‘Spoiled Teenager’ Attitude

On the eve of the annual Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, it is a cherished tradition for competitors and past winners to play a shortened nine-hole course with their families. Last year, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy attended this joyful event with his wife Erica Stoll and their toddler daughter Poppy. Both Erica and Poppy wore matching white jumpsuits emblazoned with McIlroy’s name. The sight of two-year-old Poppy tumbling on the manicured green, giggling with her father, and being held aloft by him delighted the watching crowd. Erica, looking perfectly coiffed, watched on lovingly.

However, this year, the scene was starkly different. McIlroy was competing, but there was no sign of Erica and Poppy. Onlookers speculated that McIlroy might be focusing on his preparation for the Masters, his 16th attempt to win the coveted champion’s Green Jacket and his tenth bid for the elusive Grand Slam. The following month, when McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina, Erica was again absent, and McIlroy did not mention her at all on US Mother’s Day, instead paying tribute to his mother, Rosie.

The reason for Erica’s absence became clear last week when it was revealed that 35-year-old McIlroy had filed for divorce in Florida, stating that their marriage was “irretrievably broken.” The news shocked golf fans worldwide. McIlroy has hired the same lawyer who handled Tiger Woods’ divorce from Elin Nordegren. The suddenness of the separation, reminiscent of McIlroy’s infamous split from tennis star Caroline Wozniacki in 2014, has led to speculation about the impact on his career. Notably, McIlroy went on to win the PGA Championship shortly after breaking off his engagement with Wozniacki.

Sports writer and author April Tod, who has closely followed McIlroy’s career, commented on the surprising timing of the divorce, noting that it comes just before a major tournament where McIlroy arguably has the best chance in a decade of winning. Tod expressed doubts about how McIlroy would handle the personal turmoil amid his professional commitments, including the US Open and the Olympics.

McIlroy and Erica’s relationship began after they met during the 2012 Ryder Cup when she arranged a police escort for him after he nearly missed his tee time. They started dating at the end of 2014, following McIlroy’s split from Wozniacki, and got engaged in Paris a year later. They married in 2017 in a lavish ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, attended by 200 guests, including actor Jamie Dornan, One Direction’s Niall Horan, and Coldplay musician Chris Martin. The event featured performances by Ed Sheeran and Stevie Wonder and included falconry displays and clay pigeon shooting.

Erica has since taken down her social media accounts and has been seen without her wedding ring near the couple’s £7 million Florida home. Neither she nor her family has responded to calls. Described by Tod as a “supportive wife and not a diva,” Erica has not publicly commented on the divorce.

McIlroy’s divorce has revived memories of his past relationships, particularly his abrupt end to his engagement with Wozniacki. The sudden and seemingly ruthless manner in which he has handled both breakups has led to questions about his personal life and its impact on his game as he continues to pursue major golf titles.

“He’s got a big ego, he always has,” says one acquaintance from Rory McIlroy’s youth. “He’d barge his way to the front of the queue at nightclubs, demanding VIP treatment. I was in a bar where he was very rude to anyone who approached him, asking for a picture or an autograph. He once pushed past me, spilled my drink, and didn’t stop to look back—let alone apologize.

“His problem with women, I think, is down to thinking he is more famous, and better looking, than he actually is.”

An onlooker who saw the golfer up close in Louisville this week believes that, contrary to the perceived wisdom that elite sportspeople require an orderly private life for peak performance, McIlroy seems to thrive on drama. “At times of maximum chaos around him, when he’s done or said something controversial, he actually plays better,” the observer notes. “He’s been chirpy and upbeat this week—he’s certainly not walking around looking like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.”

Back in his homeland, locals are puzzled by the announcement that has rocked the sports world. At the clubhouse of the Holywood Golf Club—where fans can have their photographs taken with a cardboard cut-out of the multi-millionaire—the words most often muttered last week were “surprised” and “disappointed.”

The perception of McIlroy from those who knew him growing up is colored by memories of his confident, sometimes brash behavior. Known for his talent from a young age, McIlroy’s rise to fame brought with it a self-assuredness that bordered on arrogance. His treatment of fans and his demeanor in social settings often left a sour impression.

The belief that McIlroy’s turbulent personal life might be linked to his professional success adds another layer of complexity to his public persona. Observers note that his best performances often come amid personal upheaval, suggesting that he might draw strength from chaos rather than stability. This contradicts the common assumption that athletes perform best when their private lives are calm and orderly.

The shock of McIlroy’s recent divorce filing, particularly given its suddenness and timing before major tournaments, has left fans and friends alike questioning the golfer’s motivations and the impact on his career. While some see his actions as indicative of a calculated move to regain top form, others view it as further evidence of his unpredictable and sometimes contentious nature.

As McIlroy continues to navigate the highs and lows of his career and personal life, the scrutiny from both his hometown and the wider sports community remains intense. Whether his apparent preference for a tumultuous private life will continue to fuel his professional success is a subject of much debate and speculation among those who follow his journey closely.