According to reports, Rory McIlroy and girlfriend Erica Stoll are engaged. (Getty)
After a public breakup with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy is ready to try this whole marriage thing again.
According to multiple reports, McIlroy and his girlfriend of more than a year, Erica Stoll, have taken their relationship to the next level after the PGA standout proposed in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Read on to learn about Stoll, her relationship with McIlroy, and the couple’s future together:
1. Stoll Worked for the PGA
Stoll first met McIlroy through her job with the PGA and the two bonded over a love of golf. (Twitter)
Stoll, who is from New York, is a golf fan at heart and has even taken her fandom to work with her, turning her passion into a career. Recently, the Florida resident worked as the manager of Championship Volunteer Operations at the PGA of America.
In fact, that’s how she and McIlroy first met.
“We were friends before anything romantic happened,” McIlroy said. “We met when she was working for the PGA of America, and renting a condo in Palm Beach, and I found it refreshing being with someone who was living a normal life rather than, ‘Oh! My jet is 30 minutes late!’”
2. She Famously ‘Saved’ McIlroy During the 2012 Ryder Cup
Picture it. It’s 2012. Rory McIlroy is ready to compete in the Ryder Cup, anxious to lead his team to glory. Only, there’s one problem. He’s running late and it looks as if he’s going to miss his singles match tee time.
Enter Stoll, ready for the rescue.
Thanks to some quick thinking and some power of the PGA, Stoll got McIlroy a police escort to the course and the golfer narrowly avoided disqualification.
Saving your future husband from public embarrassment? Seems like a pretty good start to a romance.
3. The Pair Made Their Public Debut in May
Cameras were ready when Stoll and McIlroy made their public debut in May. (Getty)
McIlroy and Stoll made their first public appearance together at the Royal County Down, the site of the Irish Open, in May. The pictures spread like wildfire across the internet as golf fans clamored to learn more about the girl next to the Irish standout.
As their relationship has grown, McIlroy has explained how Stoll keeps him grounded:
I thought at the time that being with someone that was in a similar position to you was the obvious answer. But it isn’t, because you can never get away from it. You can never detach yourself and try to come back to the real world. And that’s why I feel in such a good place now. I don’t feel Erica wants to change me in any way. I can be myself around her; there’s no bullshit, no acting, no show.
4. They Are Reportedly Getting Married in April 2017
McIlroy was the first confirm the relationship, saying he was very happy during a newspaper interview. (Getty)
Though Rory is focused on capturing his first Green Jacket, it would appear he has another important event coming this month.
According to reports, McIlroy and Stoll sent out wedding invitations for a ceremony sometime in April. Per the reports, they will say their vows at the Ashford Castle in Mayo, Ireland.
5. McIlroy Ended His Previous Engagement Over the Phone
Wozniacki caddying for McIlroy during the Par 3 tournament prior to the 2014 Masters. (Getty)
The Irish star didn’t make a lot of allies after news spread that he had broken off his engagement with tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki – over the phone. According to reports, the pair had already sent out their wedding day invitations and Wozniacki first thought that McIlroy was joking.
She went on to describe the moment on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger”:
Oh, I was shocked. I thought at least, you know, I would get a face-to-face or something, but there was nothing. It was just a phone call and I did not hear from him again. It kind of just ended. I don’t think you expect yourself to be in a situation like that.
McIlroy went on to release a statement of his own after the breakup, saying: “The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.”
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Erica Stoll, Rory McIlroy’s Fiancee: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know