Rory McIlroy’s triumph at his home country’s Irish Open turned into a celebratory family affair.
McIlroy, 36, defeated Joakim Lagergren on the third playoff hole at The K Club in Kildare, Ireland on Sunday, September 7, roughly 120 miles south of the golfer’s hometown of Holywood.
After securing the victory — which came after McIlroy sank a 27-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to force the playoff — the golfer was joined by his wife, Erica Stoll, and their 5-year-old daughter, Poppy.
“I feel just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of these people,” McIlroy said after the tournament. “The support has been absolutely amazing all week.”
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He added, “This is absolutely incredible. I love coming home. I love playing in this atmosphere. Yeah, these are — moments like this, these are the things you’re going to remember well after your career is over. This is a really special day.”
McIlroy also thanked his hometown supporters for their loyalty on social media.
“To win my National Open in front of these fans was absolutely incredible,” McIlroy shared via X on Sunday. “I love coming home, I love playing in this atmosphere and I’ll never take it for granted. Forever grateful for the support.”
McIlroy, Stoll and their daughter posed for a picture with the Irish Open trophy, his first win since earning his first Masters title in April.
Stoll and Poppy were both on hand to see McIlroy finally achieve Masters glory earlier this year, but have largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
McIlroy and Stoll got married in April 2017. The golfer filed for divorce from Stoll in May 2024 before calling it off the following month.
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At the U.S. Open in June, McIlroy admitted it was often difficult to balance his professional life with his personal one.
“I feel like I live two different lives,” McIlroy told reporters. “I’m a dad and a husband when I’m away from here, and then I’m who I am when I’m here. It’s always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality.’’
During her time away from the golf world, Stoll has been busy moving the family into their new mansion in Wentworth, England.
“We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and have been trying to settle in,” McIlroy told reporters before the Genesis Scottish Open in July. “It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you.”
