Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

• Rory McIlroy makes first public appearance with new girlfriend
• Erica Stoll, 29, is a manager at the PGA of America
• World No.1 hails success of the Irish Open for his foundation

RORY MCILROY

Rory McIlroy arrived at the final day of the Irish Open hand-in-hand with girlfriend Erica Stoll after recently making their six-month relationship public knowledge.

The 26-year-old, who was hosting the event at Royal County Down through the Rory Foundation, was pictured with Stoll, 29, after speaking publicly for the first time about their relationship.

The pair first met at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, where Stoll – who is manager of Championship Volunteer Operations at the PGA of America – came to the world No.1’s aid after he overslept and only just made it to the course in time.

“I am very happy in my love life,” Rory McIlroy told the Times Magazine.

“The past six or seven months have been really nice” – Rory McIlroy

“We haven’t really been putting it out there. She is from America, which is why I like to spend time in Palm Beach. The past six or seven months have been really nice. That part of my life is going great.”

Rory McIlroy had previously been engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, but broke off their engagement in May last year, saying that he ‘wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails’.

The four-time major champion had earlier missed the cut for the second week running at his home event after failing to recover from an opening round of 80. However, he did praise the tournament from his foundation’s point of view and hopes he can build on the years ahead.

Rory McIlroy

“It has been absolutely incredible,” McIlroy said. “The support this tournament’s got from fans and spectators, volunteers, Royal County Down sponsors, it has been incredible and has exceeded expectations.

“I think for the week, there was a total of 107,000 people here, in spite of the weather not being as we would have liked.

“It’s been all over the world and it’s given us incredible exposure” – Rory McIlroy

“The amount of countries that have seen The Irish Open this week, it’s been all over the world and it’s given us incredible exposure to a lot of people to see what we’re trying to achieve and what we’ve been able to do for the cancer funds for children, for Daisy Lodge and a lot of the supporters of the foundation.”

After a hectic playing schedule, which has seen the Northern Irishman play the past five weeks, he is likely now not to feature until the US Open, which takes place at Chambers Bay from June 18-21.

Rory McIlroy :: New girlfriend

Can McIlroy’s happiness off the course spur him to even more success in 2015? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

topics

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship