All About Rory McIlroy's Daughter Poppy McIlroy

Mar. 15, 2025

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll with their daughter, Poppy, at the Par 3 contest prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament.Photo:Andrew Redington/Getty

Andrew Redington/Getty

Rory McIlroymay be a well-decorated athlete, but his most coveted title is beingPoppy Kennedy McIlroy’s father.

The Irish golfer and his wife,Erica Stoll, whom he’s been married to since 2017, welcomed Poppy in 2020.

He continued, “It’s probably the best part of being a human being, and I’m glad that I got to experience it.”

In May 2024,Rory filed for divorcefrom Erica after more than seven years of marriage and amid filming season 3 of Netflix’sFull Swing. The couple ultimately reconciled a month later andcalled off their divorce.

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning," Rory toldThe Guardian.

From the inspiration behind her name to her sweetest moments supporting her dad, here’s everything to know about Rory McIlroy’s daughter, Poppy.

Rory and Erica kept the news of their pregnancy a secret for many months

Rory McIlroy and Erica McIlroy at the 2018 Ryder Cup Gala.Ross Kinnaird/Getty

Ross Kinnaird/Getty

“We’re about to be parents very soon, so we’re obviously super excited. Yeah, we’ve been sharing the news with friends and family, obviously, but I didn’t think it was something that I really particularly needed to share out here,” Rory said, perGolfweek. “It’s a private matter, but we’re really excited and can’t wait for her to get here.

As soon as the phone does ring, Rory added, “I’m out of here.”

Poppy is a Virgo

Rory McIllroy and newborn daughter, Poppy.Rory McIlroy Instagram

Rory McIlroy Instagram

Poppy Kennedy McIlroy was born on Aug. 31, 2020, in Jupiter, Florida. Roryshared the happy news on Instagramalongside a black-and-white photo of the newborn holding his pinky finger. “Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, born August 31st, 12:15pm. She is the absolute love of our lives,” he captioned it.

Rory and Erica always knew they wanted to name their daughter after a flower

Rory explained that Rose was ruled out after they realized it was too similar to his mother’s name, Rosie. A few of his pro golf buddies, including Alex Noran and Shane Lowry, also have daughters named Iris, and so they decided on Poppy.

“We wanted to go with something that was pretty unique, maybe more common back where I’m from, but we landed on Poppy and we loved it,” he said.

Rory said it was hard to go back to work after Poppy’s birth

Rory McIlroy during the final round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.Gregory Shamus/Getty

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Four days after becoming a dad, Rory returned to the golf course to compete in the FedEx Cup finale. Speaking toGolfweekabout his whirlwind of a week. The golfer admitted that he was struggling with being apart from Erica and their newborn, who had only left the hospital 24 hours prior.

“We got her home yesterday. It’s nice in the hospital. You’ve got so much help and all the nurses are around and they did a phenomenal job,” he explained.

The first-time dad jokingly added that the hospital doesn’t hand you “an instruction manual” on your way out, and that he and Erica were trying to settle into their new normal. Though they were blessed with a strong support system, Rory said getting back to the fairway was rough.

Poppy served as her dad’s caddy at the Masters Par 3 Contest in 2023

Rory McIlroy and his daughter Poppy on the ninth hole during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament.Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR/Getty

Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR/Getty

Sharinga highlight reel of cute daddy-daughter momentsfrom their time on the green, Rory wrote, “Always one of the best days of the year.” In one clip, Poppy can be heard asking her dad if they can go play in the bunker, after which the video jumps to a shot of Poppy using Rory’s tee to draw in the sand.

Rory said becoming a dad has put his career in perspective

Rory McIlroy and his daughter Poppy during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament.Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated/Getty

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated/Getty

Since the birth of his daughter, Rory has had a shift in perspective when it comes to his career and future in golf. In a candid conversation withGolfweek, Rory admitted that in the past, he struggled to maintain a healthy boundary between his home life and work life. However, since Poppy’s arrival, he’s been better at drawing a line.

“It just puts things in perspective a little bit,” he said on the topic of Poppy. “[My career] matters to me and I care about it very much, but at the same time, it makes the hard days a little easier to get over, right.”

He continued, “When I say it’s not the be-all and end-all, it’s a major championship and I’ve grown up my whole life dreaming of winning these tournaments, and that’s not going to change, but if it doesn’t quite happen, I can live with that and go home and be very happy and leave what’s happened at the golf course at the golf course.”

Poppy is the star of her dad’s golf tournaments

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll with their daughter, Poppy, at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship.Jared C. Tilton/Getty

Jared C. Tilton/Getty

Poppy already has her own fanbase. At tournaments, she’s become known for her McIlroy-emblemed golf apparel and funny commentary on her dad’s golf fame. At the 2023 Scottish Open, Poppy was even hilariously caught cheering for her dad’s competitor!

In aclip posted to Xfrom the PGA Tour’s account, Erica and Poppy are seen eagerly waiting to congratulate Rory following his big win. Albeit, Poppy has her eyes set on saying hi to another player.

“Say ‘Well done, Dada,’ " Erica told her daughter in the video. Poppy then shimmies her way out of her mom’s arms and begins to walk away as Erica explains to Rory that, “She wants to give Tommy [Fleetwood] a hug.”

“We all need a hug,” Rory laughed in response.

At the Players Championship in 2024, Poppy was once again on hand to congratulate her father after his triple-birdie finish. When Rory finished the round, she ran into her father’s arms.

Poppy was also present for her dad’s sixth Race to Dubai win in November 2024.

source: people.com