Rory McIlroy blasted for snubbing wife Erica Stoll in Masters victory speech: ‘Stand up family man’

Rory McIlroy was put on blast for leaving his wife, Erica Stoll, out of his emotional Masters victory speech after they called off their divorce.

The Irish golfer accepted the trophy for his first Masters win and thanked those who have supported him as his spouse watched from the crowd at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia Sunday.

“Last but certainly not least, over to my left, my family, my team,” McIlroy said while holding back his tears. “They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll holding the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
Fans called out Rory McIlroy for not mentioning his wife, Erica Stoll, in his emotional Masters victory speech on Sunday.Getty Images

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks during the Green Jacket Ceremony after the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
The Irish golfer accepted his first Masters trophy while his spouse watched from the crowd.Getty Images
“They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try and try and try again,” the athlete, 35, added.

McIlroy then turned to his and Stoll’s 4-year-old daughter, saying “The one thing I’d say to my daughter, Poppy, over there is, ‘Never give up on your dreams.’”

He continued, “‘Keep coming back. Keep working hard and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.’ Love you.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks during the Green Jacket Ceremony after the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
“Last but certainly not least, over to my left, my family, my team,” he said in his speech.Getty Images

Rory McIlroy celebrates with his daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll after winning The Masters and completing a career grand slam
“They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through,” McIlroy added.REUTERS
The toddler was seated alongside Stoll, 37, however McIlroy declined to mention his wife.

Several people criticized the champion for omitting Stoll from his speech, with one user writing, “Love the shout-out to his daughter … would’ve been nice if he acknowledged his wife.

“Sorry, but after the divorce back and forth it would have been something he could have done.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland kisses his wife Erica Stoll during the Par Three Contest prior to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
“They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try and try and try again,” the athlete continued.PGA TOUR

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with wife Erica & daughter Poppy during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
He then gave a special shout-out to his 4-year-old daughter, Poppy.Getty Images
“What about his wife for real?” another added, while a third chimed in, “You mean the family that he tried to abandon?”

“Weird that not once in the entire post-round interviews did he mention his wife by name,” a fourth mentioned.

“Wait a second, isn’t this the same guy that sent divorce papers to his wife while he was at a golf tournament???? Yeah that’s a stand up family man right there. COWARD!” another critic wrote.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his wife, Erica Stoll embrace their daughter, Poppy McIlroy after she holed out on the ninth green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
“The one thing I’d say to my daughter Poppy over there is, ‘Never give up on your dreams,’” he said.Getty Images

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Erica Stoll, walks on course during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in May 2024 before they reconciled a month later.Getty Images
McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in May 2024 after seven years of marriage, citing that the union was “irretrievably broken.”

That same month, Mcllroy was rumored to be dating sports reporter Amanda Balionis.

However, McIlroy and Stoll’s separation was short-lived; he dismissed the divorce in June 2024.