Rory McIlroy's wife Erica Stoll's hatred that made couple's mind up on huge life decision

Rory McIlroy will be heading into the Open Championship this week hoping to put right his 2019 disaster at Royal Portush. It's the first time he's returning to the iconic Northern Ireland course since collapsing under the home-love pressure, and ultimately failed to make the cut.

On the very first hole six years ago, he slumped to a dreaded quadruple-bogey, and was eventually left holding back tears after his second round exit. He said earlier this week: "The walk to the first tee and then that ovation, I was a little surprised and a little taken aback, like 'Geez, these people really want me to win’.

"I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself, not really wanting to let people down. It’s just something I didn’t mentally prepare for that day or that week."

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McIlroy will be leaning on his wife Erica Stoll for her continued support heading into The Open this week, in a bid to overcome his demons. The family recently moved to a new leafy Surrey estate, and have reportedly spent about £9million renovating their new home.

Erica reportedly favours milder temperatures over the sweltering heat of their former US base. The New Yorker and her Northern Irish husband were previously residing in Jupiter, Florida with their daughter Poppy, but are now ready to make the move across the pond.

Earlier in 2024, McIlroy initiated divorce proceedings, though the couple later reconciled within the same year. "Straight after Augusta we travelled over to see the house as it was going through the finishing touches," McIlroy revealed to The Telegraph. "It was fun to see and we could have stayed in it, but we wanted to get over to [McIlroy's hometown] Holywood."

Fellow professional golfer Martin Kaymer recounted an amusing exchange about Stoll's feelings towards the climate during his Netflix Full Swing appearance. "I saw her [Stoll] at a Starbucks once, and she said, 'I really don't like the sun.' I said, 'Your state's called the Sunshine State, right?'" he recalled.

Nevertheless, it was a different Netflix programme that became the focal point during a private moment preceding McIlroy's Masters triumph. The 36-year-old secured a career Grand Slam at Augusta, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off to claim the coveted green jacket.

Rory McIlroy, the golfing sensation, finally ended his major drought with a stunning Masters victory, and he's revealed an unusual preparation method. Chatting with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, McIlroy shared that he unwound before his big win by indulging in the period drama 'Bridgerton' alongside his wife.

"The week of the Masters, for me, I'm just trying to distract myself with doing anything," the champion golfer confessed. "I'm trying not to watch coverage of the tournament, I'm trying not to watch anything about the golf."

McIlroy explained his strategy to avoid sports news altogether, opting instead for books, shows, or films. "You try to just not look at the sports news. So, like, read a book, watch a show, watch a movie. So, I was watching 'Bridgerton' with my wife, which was her decision, but I actually got into it... It was good."

In other news, it seems McIlroy's move to Surrey had been on the cards for some time. J. Spaun, who McIlroy outplayed at the Players Championship, accidentally revealed Rory's UK plans during a chat on the Fore Play podcast.

"I know he's Northern Irish, but I asked him if he ever hangs out in London," Spaun recounted. "Because my wife has got a really good friend that lives out there and loves going there. He said, 'Oh yeah, I'm building a house out there.'".