Rory McIlroy Admits He Can Be 'Tough' for Wife Erica Stoll and Daughter Poppy to Deal with at Home

Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy at the 2026 Masters
Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Rory McIlroy said it's often "tough" for his wife Erica and daughter Poppy to "put up with me at home" after winning the Masters on Sunday, April 12
• The back-to-back Masters champ called Erica and Poppy his "biggest supporters" after winning a second consecutive championship
• McIlroy also tearfully thanked his parents and told them, "I owe everything to you"

Rory McIlroy was self-reflective as he talked about his family life with wife Erica Stoll and their daughter Poppy moments after winning his second Masters.

After greeting Erica and five-year-old Poppy with big hugs on the course to celebrate his back-to-back Masters championships, McIlroy spoke candidly about life at home during the green jacket presentation ceremony on Sunday, April 12.

"First and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They have to put up with me at home, and trust me, sometimes that's a tough thing to do," McIlroy said.

Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy at the 2026 Masters
Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty

"But they have been my biggest supporters, and this has definitely turned into Poppy's favorite week of the year," he continued, joking that he's not sure if it's "because of the Par 3 Tournament, or all-you-can-eat ice cream in the players' services building."

Poppy then adorably shook her head and covered her face with her hand after her dad revealed her love of the Masters' ice cream supply.

McIlroy went on to acknowledge his parents, Rosie and Gerry, in his speech, tearing up as he celebrated all the sacrifices they made for him to reach the pinnacle of the sport. "They weren't here last year to celebrate with us, and surprisingly, I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought that the reason that I won was because they weren't here. So I'm glad we proved that wrong."

"But Mom and Dad, I owe everything to you," McIlroy continued, while brushing away tears. "You’re the most wonderful parents and if I could be half the parent to Poppy as you were to me then I know I’ve done a good job, thank you.”

McIlroy joined the ranks of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods with his back-to-back Masters titles, becoming just the fourth golfer ever to do so.

Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy at the 2026 Masters
Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty

The golfer and his wife tied the knot in 2017 and welcomed their daughter in August 2020.

The couple appeared to be facing challenges in 2024 after PEOPLE confirmed McIlroy had filed for divorce from Stoll that May. Two months later, the golfer's lawyer filed a notice of voluntary dismissal and the couple reunited.

He later said that chapter of their marriage was a "wake-up call" on Netflix's Full Swing, telling viewers, “There’s parts of my life that I like to keep as private as possible. Unfortunately, in this line of work, that isn’t always possible."

Read the original article on People