Ex-US Open finalist was engaged to Rory McIlroy before he called things off by phone

Rory McIlroy cancelled his wedding to former US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki just days after sending out invitations. McIlroy had been in a relationship with the Danish tennis star for three years before brutally ending things via a phonecall in 2014.

The golfer, who is currently tied for third at the Irish Open, had popped the question to Wozniacki on New Year's Eve in 2013. The duo were regarded as a sporting power couple, with McIlroy's golfing triumphs matched by future Australian Open champion Wozniacki, who also made it to the 2009 and 2014 US Open finals. Yet as their big day got closer, McIlroy realised he wasn't ready to marry Wozniacki. The Times reported that McIlroy had ended their engagement during a brief three-minute conversation, with the golfer later explaining what had triggered his abrupt change of mind.

"There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people," McIlroy said in May 2014, as per the Daily Mail. "The problem is mine.

"The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had. I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."

Ahead of facing Williams in the 2014 US Open final, Wozniacki gave her version of events: "I was shocked. I thought at least it would be face to face or something but there was nothing. It was a phone call and I didn't hear from him again," she told the In Depth with Graham Bensinger show.

"It was very hard because he made it very public from the start. He put out a press release and all of that so it just got put in my face."

In 2015, McIlroy started dating Erica Stoll, a PGA employee he had met during the 2012 Ryder Cup. The pair became engaged later that year and wed in a ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo in 2017. They welcomed their daughter Poppy in 2020.

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Looking back on his previous relationship with Wozniacki, McIlroy revealed why he felt they wouldn't have been compatible long-term. "I thought at the time that being with someone that was in a similar position to you was the obvious answer," he told the Irish Independent in 2017.

"But it isn't, because you can never get away from it. You can never detach yourself and try to come back to the real world."

The split ultimately proved beneficial for both sporting legends. Wozniacki is now married to former NBA star David Lee, having wed in 2019, and they share three children together.

Last year, McIlroy and Stoll filed for divorce. However, they reconciled in June 2024, with McIlroy telling The Guardian: "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."

This year, McIlroy celebrated a career Grand Slam after finally clinching the Masters in April, an event Wozniacki also attended. After initially struggling post-victory, the 36-year-old has shown signs of a return to form at the Irish Open.

On Friday, McIlroy scored six-under-par at the K Club, putting him in contention on seven-under. The Masters champion is currently trailing five shots behind leader Joakim Lagergren, with two rounds left in County Kildare.

Meanwhile, Wozniacki will likely be watching the US Open finals this weekend. Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka is set to face American Amanda Anisimova for the women's title tonight, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will vie for the men's championship on Sunday.