Rory McIlroy’s biggest supporters forever have his back.
In the wake of a crushing playoff loss to Billy Horschel on Sunday in the BMW PGA Championship, the four-time major winner shared a heartfelt moment wife Erica Stoll and their 4-year-old daughter, Poppy.
In footage shared on the DP World Tour’s X account, McIlroy can be seen holding Poppy before Stoll — whom he filed for divorce from earlier this year before a stunning reversal — leaned in for a kiss.
McIlroy, 35, lost to Horschel, 37, on the second playoff hole at Wentworth Club in England, with the American sinking an eagle putt on the 18th the win.
“I’m thrilled, excited for the way I played,” Horschel told reporters. “I battled out there today. But at the same time, I’m a little disappointed. Rory is a really good friend of mine, and I think the world of him. I think he’s a generational talent, and I know how close he’s been this year, so I can feel for him.”
McIlory has been plagued by professional near-misses in 2024.
The Northern Irishman fell short of a U.S. Open title in June when he collapsed down the stretch and Bryson DeChambeau captured his second major win.
The tournament came days after McIlroy scrapped his divorce from Stoll, his wife of seven years.
Divorce docs were originally filed in May and stated the union was “irretrievably broken.”
An attorney for McIlroy submitted a notice of voluntary dismissal weeks later, Page Six reported.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together,” McIlroy said in a June statement to The Guardian. “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
Stoll supported McIlroy in July at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he tied for fourth.
Despite missing out on Sunday’s $1.53 million prize, McIlroy is keeping a positive mindset with limited opportunities remaining in 2024.
“I think if I keep working on the things I am working on on the range, that only bodes well for the future. To work on my swing but still go out there and have a really good chance to win, I am proud of that,” McIlroy said, per ESPN.
“I’m excited for the future. I’m playing well. I keep giving myself chances. … I just have to dust myself off and get myself ready for the last three events of the year.”
