Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer and one of the greatest players of his generation. Born May 4, 1989, he is 37 years old. He is married to Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee, and they share one daughter, Poppy. In 2025 he completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, and his net worth is estimated between roughly $170 million and $350 million.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rory Daniel McIlroy |
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1989 |
| Age | 37 |
| Birthplace | Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (approx.) |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Known For | Career Grand Slam (Masters 2025); 6 major titles incl. back-to-back Masters; 120+ weeks at world No. 1 |
| Wife | Erica Stoll (married 2017) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Poppy) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $170M – $350M (estimates vary) |
Early Life
Rory Daniel McIlroy was born on May 4, 1989, in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, to Gerry and Rosie McIlroy. An only child, he showed extraordinary golf talent early — his parents worked multiple jobs to finance his training, and he famously practiced his swing hitting plastic balls in the family home.
McIlroy was a teenage prodigy. He topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking and won the 2006 European Amateur Championship before turning professional in 2007 at age 18.
Golf Career
Early Professional Success
McIlroy won his first professional title at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and broke through at the major level with a record-setting victory at the 2011 U.S. Open, winning by eight shots at age 22.
Major Championships
Before 2025, McIlroy had won four majors: the U.S. Open (2011), the PGA Championship (2012, 2014), and The Open Championship (2014). He spent over 120 weeks ranked world No. 1 — among the most by any European player — and is the only golfer to win the FedExCup three times (2016, 2019, 2022). He has more than 30 combined PGA Tour and DP World Tour victories.
The Masters and the Career Grand Slam
For over a decade, the Masters at Augusta National was the one major that eluded him. On April 13, 2025, McIlroy defeated Justin Rose to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam — becoming only the sixth golfer in history to win all four major championships. Erica and daughter Poppy were there to celebrate the defining moment of his career. Outlets also reported that he successfully defended his green jacket at the 2026 Masters, making him the first repeat champion at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001–2002.
Ryder Cup and Team Golf
McIlroy has been a cornerstone of the European Ryder Cup team for years, including the famous comeback at Medinah in 2012 — the very tournament where he first met his future wife.
Rory McIlroy's 2026 Season
On April 12, 2026, McIlroy defended his Masters title at Augusta National, holding off Scottie Scheffler by one shot at 12-under for his sixth major championship and 30th PGA Tour title. After building a record six-shot lead through 36 holes and watching it disappear on Saturday, he rallied with two key birdies around Amen Corner and a closing 71. He became only the fourth back-to-back Masters champion ever, joining Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods. The win paid a record $4.5 million from a record $22.5 million purse and made him Augusta's all-time earnings leader at $13.04 million. CBS averaged nearly 14 million viewers for the final round — its best Masters Sunday in 11 years.
The other three majors were quieter: T7 at the PGA Championship at Aronimink (won by Aaron Rai), where he contended despite an erratic driver; T32 at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock (won by Wyndham Clark), after a Saturday charge briefly put him in a tie for second; and T40 at The Open at Royal Birkdale (won by Ryan Fox). He played a deliberately reduced schedule — a T2 at the Genesis Invitational, an injury withdrawal at the Arnold Palmer, a T46 at THE PLAYERS, a T12 at the Memorial, a T7 at the Scottish Open, then a post-Open break before the playoffs: 66th at the FedEx St. Jude, 3rd at the BMW Championship, and a closing T4 at the TOUR Championship, where Scheffler won his second FedExCup.
McIlroy spent 2026 as the world No. 2 behind Scheffler — a two-man era compared to Nicklaus–Palmer and Woods–Mickelson. On the DP World Tour, a runner-up at the BMW PGA Championship moved him second behind Patrick Reed in the Race to Dubai, and he will contest the season-ending DP World Tour Championship (November 12–15, 2026) chasing a record-equalling eighth Harry Vardon Trophy, drawing level with Colin Montgomerie.
Rory McIlroy and the LIV Golf Divide
McIlroy has been the PGA Tour's most prominent voice through golf's civil war. Despite repeated approaches, he rejected LIV Golf, citing his desire to compete in the majors and the Ryder Cup. In November 2025, at the CNBC CEO Council Forum, he said a PGA Tour–LIV merger was unlikely while the Saudi-backed league spent "irrationally" — The Athletic reported the league had lost more than $1.4 billion in its first four years. In August 2026, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp declared the talks over: "There's no merger, no conversations." LIV has since moved to 72 holes for 2026 as it seeks world ranking points and plans a restructured 2027 under new investor BC Partners.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
McIlroy's fortune runs on one of the best-structured endorsement portfolios in sport. Two 2017 contracts form its core: a roughly $200 million, ten-year Nike extension for apparel and image rights, and a $100 million, ten-year TaylorMade equipment deal. His wider roster — Omega, Workday, Optum, JPMorgan Chase, FM, and NBC Sports — generates an estimated $40–50 million a year off the course. Forbes ranked him golf's second-highest-paid player in 2026 at $83 million total — $38 million on the course and $45 million off it. Beyond sponsorships, he co-founded TMRW Sports with Tiger Woods and Mike McCarley — the company behind TGL, the indoor golf league that launched in 2025 — and invests through Symphony Ventures (backing Whoop, Hyperice, and Golf+) and the TPG Sports platform he launched with private equity firm TPG in 2025.
Wife and Family
Meeting Erica Stoll
McIlroy first met Erica Stoll at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. Stoll, a PGA of America employee from upstate New York, famously arranged a police escort when McIlroy nearly missed his Sunday tee time. They began dating in 2014, got engaged in Paris at the end of 2015, and married on April 22, 2017, in a lavish ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.
Daughter Poppy
The couple welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, in August 2020. Poppy has become a familiar sight at tournaments, joining her father for par-3 contests and trophy celebrations.
The 2024 Divorce Filing
In a shock to the golf world, McIlroy filed for divorce on May 13, 2024, in Florida, with court documents describing the marriage as "irretrievably broken." Less than a month later, on June 11, 2024, his attorney filed a voluntary dismissal. McIlroy told The Guardian: "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." The couple has appeared together regularly since, including throughout the 2025 Masters run.
Before Erica
McIlroy was previously engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki from 2011 until their split in 2014.
Net Worth
McIlroy's net worth is widely estimated but never officially confirmed. Published estimates vary:
- ~$250 million — Celebrity Net Worth
- $170–200 million — sportsjone (2026)
- ~$350 million — guidenetworth and others (2026)
- £200 million — Sunday Times Rich List
His wealth comes from over $176 million in career prize money plus long-term endorsement deals with brands including Nike, TaylorMade, and Omega, along with investments through his venture firm Symphony Ventures. He is consistently ranked among the highest-earning golfers in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rory McIlroy's wife?
Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee from upstate New York. They married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in Ireland.
How old is Rory McIlroy?
Born May 4, 1989, he is 37 years old.
Did Rory McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam?
Yes. His 2025 Masters victory made him only the sixth golfer in history to win all four major championships.
How many children does Rory McIlroy have?
One — daughter Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born in August 2020.
Did Rory McIlroy and his wife divorce?
No. He filed for divorce in May 2024 but withdrew the filing a month later, and the couple reconciled.
What is Rory McIlroy's net worth?
Estimates range from about $170 million to $350 million, with Celebrity Net Worth putting it around $250 million. No official figure exists.
What is Rory McIlroy's world ranking in 2026?
As of late 2026, McIlroy is ranked world No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, behind Scottie Scheffler — a position he held throughout the 2026 season.