RORY MCILROY etched his name into golfing folklore and ended an 11-year wait for a career Grand Slam when he finally slipped into a Green Jacket at The Masters on Sunday.
But of all 11 of those years, it's the past 12 months that have probably been the biggest rollercoaster as the Northern Irishman went from the brink of divorce to Masters champion with wife Erica Stoll by his side.
McIlroy, 35, shocked the golfing world when it was revealed in May last year that he was filing for divorce from wife Erica Stoll.
The announcement sent shockwaves around the sport as McIlroy also readied himself for the second major of the season.
BOMBSHELL ANNOUNCEMENT
After seven years of marriage, McIlroy and Erica were seemingly ready to call it quits.
That was after last May detailing his request to file for divorce from Erica.
The pair, , have always kept their relationship as private as possible, but the bombshell news was unavoidable this time.
It was claimed by TMZ at the time that McIlroy had asked for the couple’s prenuptial agreement to be upheld, as well as implementing a shared parenting plan in the documents.
Things couldn't have come at a worse time either, as McIlroy was gearing up to play in the US Open just two days after new broke.
The hero was spotted practicing on the course without his wedding ring on and as he was .
Things didn't seem to get to McIlroy on the course as he shot a superb five-under 66 to put himself in contention from the off.
Unfortunately, he couldn't keep that momentum going and would ultimately fall away from the pack and earn a respectable T12 finish.
SWIRLING RUMOURS
Just a matter of days after the announcement of Erica and McIlroy's looming divorce, rumours started to swirl that the 29-time event winner had been caught in a romance with someone else.
The Daily Mail claimed that after an interview between the pair sparked rumours online.
It was reported that McIlroy and Balionis were “the talk of the links”; and “left many fans wondering just how close the pair have become”;.
The rumours were fuelled by eagle-eyed fans spotting that Balionis, who married a football coach in 2022, hadn't been wearing her wedding ring for two months.
However, those claims were rubbished when a close source to the two denied there was anything between them to US Weekly, and neither party commented on the conspiracy theories.
DIVORCE U-TURN
One month on from McIlroy's divorce request and golf fans were left even more shocked than before when .
Despite McIlroy's initial filing claiming that their relationship was “irretrievably broken”;, the pair managed to work through their differences and get their relationship back on track.
McIlroy and Erica reportedly held crisis talks in their £16m Florida home over the course of a month to try an figure things out.
At the time, McIlroy told the Guardian: “There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.
“Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”;
As with the initial announcement of the divorce, news broke in the same week as a major tournament – this time the US Open was just days away.
McIlroy returned to the course to try and win his first major in 11 years, some 13 years on from when he last won the US Open too.
Despite the U-turn, McIlroy decided to play without his wedding ring for the North Carolina competition.
It was almost the perfect week for the golfing superstar, having turned around his marriage he found himself battling for victory on the final day at Pinehurst against .
Unfortunately, McIlroy was unable to get the better of his LIV Golf counterpart and ultimately wound up finishing second and extending his wait for another major
RETURN TO HIS BEST
That showing at the US Open was a sign of where McIlroy was with his game, saying at the time that he was “more confident than ever” and “as close as I've ever been” to returning to glory.
And Erica returned to his side as he went on a PGA Tour and rampage for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The 37-year-old as he won four events and secured 13 top five finishes across both tours last year.
That form banked McIlroy £16.8MILLION in prize money.
And reflecting on the success, he said: “It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year professionally and personally.
“It feels like a fitting end to 2024 – I’ve persevered this year a lot, had close calls, wasn’t able to get it done. So to be able to get over the line...I hung on and got the job done.”;
McIlroy continued his form into the 2025 season, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and in the early stages of the season to set himself up for his best chance yet at ending his 11-year wait for a career Grand Slam with victory at .
MASTERS VICTORY
After 11 YEARS of waiting to become golf's sixth Grand Slam winner,
He didn't make becoming golfing royalty easy, however.
McIlroy hit four double bogey's in a whirlwind week of ups and downs that saw him need a play-off against to finally slip into a Green Jacket for the first time.
After breaking down in tears on the 18th green, McIlroy wasted no time in making his way over to wife Erica to give her an emotional embrace.
The pair shared a touching moment in front of the cameras as McIlroy gave a huge cuddle too.
Erica has been at Augusta with McIlroy all week, and even caddied for her husband during the famous family-oriented par-three contest on Wednesday.
While little Poppy caught the hearts of everyone watching and stole the thunder from her had when
McIlroy, who admitted to watching Zootopia with his four-year-old daughter between rounds all week, paid tribute to his family's support after the win.
Fighting back even more tears, he said: ” Last but not least, over to my left, my family, my team. They've been on this journey with me the whole way through.
“They know the burden that I've carried to come here every year and try and try and try again.
“The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard.”
