‘Just wrong’ Rory McIlroy post-Masters interview floors fans
An image taken moments after Rory McIlroy won the Masters has stunned fans, with many pointing out how “awkward” it must have been.
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Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, appeared “subdued” after the golf pro rushed to embrace her while celebrating his impressive Masters win on Monday morning (AEST).
A body language expert analysed the seemingly sweet moment, going on to describe the mother of one as “more polite and tempered” as she hugged and cried with her husband, Page Six reports.
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“Erica uses back pats, which are firstly a gesture of gentle affection but which also usually signal a desire to break from an embrace, while Rory appears much more clingy,” Judi James told the Daily Mail.
“Rory looks overwhelmed and clingy, while Erica’s response appears a little more polite, subdued and tempered,” she added.
Simultaneously on social media, CBS sports reporter Amanda Balionis — whom McIlroy allegedly dated after filing for divorce from Stoll in 2024 — praised the Northern Ireland golfer for his win after sitting down to interview him, possibly prompting Stoll’s “more polite” facade.
Balionis captioned a photo of their sit-down interview, “It took 17 Masters starts, 11 years of attempting to complete the career Grand Slam and 73 this week but Rory McIlroy has his Green Jacket and has solidified his legacy alongside Tiger, Jack, Gary, Hogan and Sarazen.
“What a week and a battle down to the very end.”
Many took to the comments section of her post, pointing out how “awkward” the interview must have been for all three parties.
You can watch Balionis interview McIlroy before his Masters triumph in the video at the top of the page
One person commented, “Must be difficult since they dated last year,” while another said, “This is just wrong… I’m pulling this up tomorrow.”
Balionis also commented on a post about McIlroy winning the Masters with the words: “History made”.
Stoll’s demeanour proved that maybe she is not fully over McIlroy, 35, serving her with divorce papers and briefly moving on in May 2024.
According to docs obtained by Page Six, he cited that the seven-year marriage was “irretrievably broken.”
His rep told us at the time that his desire is “to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible” and pointed out that “he will not be making any further comment.”
At the same time, rumours began to circulate that he was romantically involved with Balionis, whom he was seen later getting cozy with.
However, neither McIlroy nor the journalist addressed the speculation before he made a 180 and called off his divorce from Stoll just a month after initially filing.
Page Six confirmed that the 29-time PGA Tour winner submitted a notice of voluntary dismissal to a court in Palm Beach County, Fla., where the couple lives.
“There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game,” the athlete told the Guardian in a statement Tuesday.
“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.”
Since then, the couple — who shares 4-year-old daughter, Poppy — have remained under the radar. However, the two were seen sharing a sweet moment during the Masters kick-off last week.
- This article first appeared on Page Six and was republished with permission
Originally published as ‘Just wrong’ Rory McIlroy post-Masters interview floors fans
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