Rory McIlroy wins Irish Open, embraces wife and daughter after playoff victory
World No. 2 beats Joakim Lagergren on third playoff hole at The K Club, marking his fourth win of the year and a homecoming ahead of the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy celebrated an emotional homecoming Sunday at The K Club, overcoming Joakim Lagergren on the third playoff hole to win the Amgen Irish Open and embrace his wife, Erica Stoll, and their daughter, Poppy.
The world No. 2 secured his second Irish Open title and his fourth victory of 2025 after draining a long eagle putt on 18 to force extra holes and prevailing on the third playoff hole in Straffan. The win was McIlroy’s first since his Masters triumph earlier this year and came three weeks before the Ryder Cup, where he will captain Europe’s hopes alongside a stacked team.
McIlroy, 36, sat with his five-year-old daughter on his lap as she placed a hand on the Irish Open trophy and then hugged Stoll, drawing warm applause from the crowd. McIlroy described the week as a homecoming that “exceeded all of my expectations,” saying he was pleased with his form ahead of a busy autumn schedule.
“To do what I did earlier in the year and then to come home and win my national open, no matter what happens for the rest of the year, that’s a pretty cool year,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “2025 is going to go down as one of the best, if not the best of my career. As I said, we’re not finished yet. I’ve got a big week next week at Wentworth and then obviously everyone’s looking forward to the Ryder Cup. I’m just so happy my game’s in good shape. I feel like I’m playing well and I’m excited for what’s coming up.”
The victory followed a tense finish. McIlroy’s long putt on the par-5 18th closed the gap and forced the playoff against Lagergren of Sweden, who had matched McIlroy through regulation. The pair remained level through the first two extra holes before McIlroy prevailed on the third.
Off the course, the week also brought attention to McIlroy’s personal life. The third season of the Netflix series Full Swing included footage related to a divorce filing McIlroy made in Florida last May; the filing was later voluntarily dismissed in a Palm Beach County court. McIlroy and Stoll, who live in Palm Beach County with their daughter, reconciled after the filing, and Stoll was present at The K Club for the victory.
McIlroy will compete in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week before joining his European teammates for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Long Island. He said the win at his national open reinforced his confidence heading into those events.
McIlroy’s 2025 campaign has been among the most successful of his career, combining major success with strong performances on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. The Irish Open triumph intensified momentum for McIlroy and Europe as the Ryder Cup approaches, underscoring his form and his personal focus as he prepares for the remainder of the season.