Rory McIlroy makes confession about Erica Stoll that had Masters impact – ‘Her decision’

Rory McIlroy’s preparation for the Masters involved a combination of professionalism and sheer talent, but he also attributed one unexpected factor – his wife Erica Stoll’s TV choice – to his historic win

Rory McIlroy made a confession about what he watches on TV (Image: Getty Images)

Holywood hero Rory McIlroy has attributed a surprising part of his success at the Masters to Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton – and the decision to watch it was made by his other half, Erica Stoll.

Clinching an unforgettable win last month at Augusta National, McIlroy carved his name in the annals of golf history, prevailing over Justin Rose in what was a nail-biting playoff. Not only did he secure the prestigious green Jacket, but he also joined the exclusive club of men’s golfers who have completed the coveted career Grand Slam.

This stunning victory also topped up his bank balance by £3.1million. After 16 attempts without a win at the Masters, McIlroy knew he needed a change in approach, which included fine-tuning his downtime. He famously adheres to a strict sleep routine aimed at optimising his performance, but he believes that how he spent his leisure time played a key role as well.

While on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the Northern Irishman divulged his strategy: “The week of the Masters, for me, I’m just trying to distract myself with doing anything.

“I’m trying not to watch coverage of the tournament, I’m trying not to watch anything about the golf. You try to just not look at the sports news. So, like, read a book, watch a show, watch a movie.”

Fallon, ever-curious, inquired further into the golfer’s choice of entertainment. McIlroy admitted: “So, I was watching Bridgerton with my wife, which was her decision, but I actually got into it,” garnering laughs and surprise from both Fallon and the audience.

“It was good,” McIlroy added, prompting Fallon to agree: “Yeah, absolutely.” Later on, McIlroy opened up about how he relaxed on Saturday morning before the tournament by watching the family favorite Zootopia with his four-year-old daughter Poppy, which again had the audience in stitches.

“You’re just trying to distract yourself,” he shared with a laugh. However, it was McIlroy’s revelation about binge-watching Bridgerton that really piqued interest.

McIlroy opened up about his TV habits to Fallon (Image: Getty Images)
The popular Netflix drama showcases a family of eight siblings on their quest for love during London’s Regency era, and according to McIlroy, it was his wife Stoll who nudged him towards the show ahead of the Masters.

“I’ve got into Bridgerton – I didn’t think I would. I was very against watching it, but Erica convinced me,” he stated before Sunday’s final round in Georgia. “So we’re on a bit of a Bridgerton kick this week, yeah.”

It seems Stoll may be the one calling the shots when it comes to television choices in the McIlroy household. Before clinching his second Players Championship in March, the world number two golfer also admitted to settling down with The Devil Wears Prada the evening before triumphing over J.J. Spaun in a Monday playoff.

When probed on his preparations for an extra day of play following weather disruptions at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy recounted: “Once I got back to the hotel, I had some room service, watched a little bit of Devil Wears Prada and went to bed. And that was basically it.”

McIlroy’s unexpected admission certainly amused the journalists present, who were understandably taken aback to discover that the PGA Tour star opted to watch the renowned Meryl Streep film as a means of relaxation before a crucial day of golf.

Nonetheless, it appeared to be effective – much like watching Bridgerton was during the Masters weekend. McIlroy’s stint on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon marked his fourth appearance on the programme, having first graced the show in 2014 and subsequently in 2019 and 2021.

The golfing icon vowed he wouldn’t revisit the show until he had secured a green jacket, but he fulfilled that promise, leaving Fallon impressed by the five-time major champion’s new outfit.