Rory McIlroy at THE PLAYERS Championship on March 17, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida ; Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open on Sept. 1, 2023, in New York. Photo:
Mike Ehrmann/Getty; Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty
Before Rory McIlroy started dating his now-wife Erica Stoll, he was engaged to another successful athlete: tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
The golfer, who won the 2025 Masters, and Wozniacki dated for several years before McIlroy proposed on New Year’s Eve in 2013. However, just a few months later, the two split.
“There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people,” McIlroy said in a statement at the time, per CNN. “The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.”
McIlroy went on to marry Stoll in 2017, while Wozniacki married her husband, former NBA All-Star David Lee, in 2019.
Here’s a look back at Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki’s relationship.
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki arrives at Sony Open Player Party 2013 at JW Marriott Marquis on March 19, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Gustavo Caballero/Getty
McIlroy first confirmed he and Wozniacki were dating in August 2011 to Telegram after the two were spotted spending time together ahead of the European Masters. McIlroy and Wozniacki were 22 and 21 at the time, respectively.
Before the competition kicked off, the couple attended the New Haven Open tennis tournament together.
Throughout their relationship, Wozniacki and McIlroy attended a number of industry events together, from world championships to tournaments. In 2013 and 2014, Wozniacki caddied for McIlroy at the Masters.
McIlroy also supported Wozniacki in her career, even joining her on the court at the BNP Paribas Showdown in 2012 where they faced off against Maria Sharapova.
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki attend the US Golf Writers Dinner on April 10, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. Andrew Redington/Getty
After dating for over two years, McIlroy proposed to Wozniacki on New Year’s Eve in 2013 while they were ringing in the holiday in Sydney.
Wozniacki shared the news on X shortly after, alongside photos from the special moment, including a shot of her ring.
“Happy New Year everyone! Rory and I started 2014 with a bang! … I said YES!!!!” she wrote.
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki at the 2014 Masters Tournament on April 9, 2014 in Augusta, Ga. Andrew Redington/Getty
Though Wozniacki caddied for McIlroy at the 2014 Masters in April, just a month later, the golfer confirmed in a statement that the two had split.
“I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had,” McIlroy said in his statement. “I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting.”
After rumors swirled that McIlroy had ended their relationship over a brief phone call, Wozniacki confirmed months later that she hadn’t heard from him since.
“I was shocked. I thought at least I would get a face-to-face or something, but there was nothing. It was a phone call, and I did not hear from him again,” Wozniacki said during a September 2011 episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger. “It kind of just ended.”
She added that the public nature of the breakup made the situation more difficult. “It was very hard because he made it very public from the start,” Wozniacki said. “He put out a press release and all of that so I didn’t have a choice, it just got put in my face.”
Rory McIlroy with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy after winning the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship ; Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee at the 2022 Met Gala in New York. Jared C. Tilton/Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty
Following their breakup, McIlroy began dating his now-wife, Stoll, in late 2014, though the two had met a couple of years earlier when she worked as a PGA transport official at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
They got married in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, in August 2020.
Meanwhile, Wozniacki married Lee in 2019. In June 2021, their daughter, Olivia, was born, followed by their son, James, in October 2022. Now, the couple are expecting their third child together.
Caroline Wozniacki at the 2025 AO Inspirational Series red carpet in January 2025 ; Rory McIlroy after winning the 2025 Masters in April 2025. James D. Morgan/Getty; Richard Heathcote/Getty
Shortly after announcing her pregnancy, Wozniacki attended the 2025 Masters in Augusta, Ga., where McIlroy went on to win the tournament.
The tennis star told ESPN that she enjoyed watching the competition, which she called an “iconic” sporting event on the level of Wimbledon.
“As an athlete, I think there’s some places that are so iconic that are on the bucket list, and this and Wimbledon are so special,” Wozniacki said. “There’s so much tradition here. When you arrive at the premises, there’s just something about not having your phone, really being in the moment.”
She continued, “Watching someone who is so good at their craft I think has always been very inspiring, whether it’s tennis, golf, at work, whatever it is. As a spectator, it’s always fun to see when the best in the world are struggling, and that’s what you get here.”
