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Rory McIlroy and wife, Erica Stoll, have had quite a year.

From the PGA Tour to Hollywood, Rory McIlroy and wife, Erica Stoll, have been in the spotlight in 2026. Yet, it is a special moment McIlroy shared with his wife following Europe’s Ryder Cup win in September 2025 that has created a buzz.

Author Alan Shipnuck has drawn attention for his new book “Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar.” After some initial skepticism from McIlroy, Shipnuck insists that the two are now on good terms following the release of the book.

During an interview on the “Two Writers Slinging Yang” podcast, Shipnuck revealed a special moment McIlroy shared with Stoll following Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

For context, Stoll and McIlroy had been subjected to fans’ insults throughout the tournament.

“And, you know, the Masters completed Rory as a golfer in a lot of ways, like Bethpage is kind of this redemption of him as a family man and as a human,” Shipnuck explained in the April 14, interview. “And so he publicly defends his wife, speaks about her more emotionally than he ever has.

“In the champions press conference, all of Team Europe cheers. And I’m witnessing this stolen moment, this incredibly intense embrace and I’m standing right there. I can actually hear Rory’s voice,” Shipnuck continued.

“He says to his wife, ‘I love you so much.’ Their eyes are glistening and it’s like this really beautiful ending to the book. And so in that case, his marriage had to be in the book, because it’s been a talking point for two years.”

Rory McIlroy Has Been Skipping Tournaments to Spend More Time With Wife, Erica Stoll & Practice for Majors

GettyRory McIlroy married wife Erica Stoll McIlroy in at Ashford Castle in 2017.

McIlroy has been more selective with his schedule in 2026. The star has opted so skip recent tournaments to prepare for majors and spend more time with his family.

“Some majors, I haven’t went to the tournament site ahead of schedule, and I’ve done well, but for the most part when I have made an advanced trip, it’s worked out well for me,” McIlroy told reporters on May 12.

“It also gives me the ability to go home on Sunday night, see Erica and Poppy yesterday, and then come up here and not feel stressed about having to play a lot of holes or get up here early. I can take more of a relaxed approach going into the week.”

Rory McIlroy & Wife, Erica, Made a Cameo in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’

GettyRory McIlroy and wife, Erica Stoll, are now movie stars.

Stoll made a rare public appearance with a cameo alongside McIlroy in the new film “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” When approached to appear in the movie, McIlroy pushed for his wife to be in the film as well.

“So, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ thing was so random,” McIlroy explained in a May 6, interview on the “New Heights” podcast. “I won The Players Championship last year and they asked me afterwards, like, what did you do last night to prepare? I said, well, I had dinner and I got back to the room and I watched ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’

“… So, the team reached out and said, ‘Look, (director David Frankel) was wondering if you would want to do some sort of cameo?’ And I said to my wife, Erica, I’m like, yeah, what do you think? And she’s like, yeah, absolutely.”