When Rory McIlroy started dating Erica Stoll many dismissed it as an on-the-rebound fling that would go nowhere.
The world-class golfer had just come out of a relationship with ex-fiancé Caroline Wozniacki that had ended with a 10-minute phone call from Rory, after claims that the tennis player had become a ‘bride-zilla’ in the run up to their big day. The golfer was in no mood to settle down and was linked to a string of beauties including Irish model Nadia Forde.
But love doesn’t make plans, it just happens.
And it seems the real deal has finally swept over the world-famous golfer.
This weekend friends have told the Sunday Independent that Rory (26) has finally found ‘the one’.
And there could be an engagement ring on the horizon. A year after this newspaper exclusively revealed that Erica (29) was the new woman in his life, friends say that Rory feels very confident that the blonde beauty is the woman for him. “Don’t be surprised if you hear he pops the question, it’s going very, very well,” a friend said.
A separate source also revealed how Erica had met Rory’s friends in Florida and Ireland recently and said that his circle have warmed to her and delight in the effect she has on the golfer.
“She’s a really, really nice girl,” said the well-placed source. “Very nice and down to earth and the one thing everyone is saying is how good she is for Rory. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do tie the knot. You know the saying ‘when you know – you know’ [you’ve met the right person] and I think Rory is there now.
“She’s met his family too. His parents are very fond of her. And she gels well with everyone. You’d be hard pressed to find a better match.”
They say a picture paints a thousand words and Rory’s triumph last weekend in the DP World Tour Championship to claim a third Race to Dubai title in the last four years gave the golfer the chance to show the world exactly how he feels.
Placing Erica by his side at the awards ceremony, putting her front and centre of his life, was significant for the golfer
