Rory McIlroy recently shared the heartfelt reason behind the absence of his wife, Erica Stoll, and daughter, Poppy, during his triumphant win at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Thursday night.

The Northern Irish golfer clinched the prestigious award after a remarkable year, having secured victory at The Masters, thus completing the coveted Grand Slam in golf, alongside a memorable Ryder Cup win.

The evening was charged with emotion for McIlroy, reminiscent of the intense moments back in September at Bethpage Black when he celebrated the Ryder Cup victory amid a challenging atmosphere, with both he and Erica facing harsh criticism from American fans.

Reflecting on the support from his family, McIlroy expressed, “My wife Erica and my daughter Poppy are my foundation, my unwavering support.”

He continued, “Though they couldn’t be here tonight as they are in America, I’m eagerly looking forward to reuniting with them tomorrow to celebrate this achievement. I can’t wait to see you both, I love you.”

Rory McIlroy explained why his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy were not present to see him lift the BBC Sports Personality of the Year prize 

His wife and daughter were back in the United States, where they have a house in Florida

He also said: ‘I’d like to congratulate the other finalists, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes.

‘It’s a pleasure just to be in this room and I feel honoured just to be a part, so congratulations.

‘Look, 2025 was the year I made my dreams come true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It really has been the year that dreams are made of.

‘I have a lot of people to thank, firstly the public for voting for me, but my family, my mum and dad. They sacrificed so much for me and I wouldn’t be here without them. Thank you.’

Stoll’s support for McIlroy in September at the Ryder Cup was vital, and not without adversity.

She had a bottle of beer thrown at her and was called a ‘w****’ yet she endured that without complaint and refused to let it become a distraction for the team. 

Cruel American fans chanted ‘Amanda, Amanda’ in order to hurt Erica and remind of the unsubstantiated rumours that follow her husband.

The barrage of abuse from a crowd became so toxic that state troopers and police dogs had to be deployed. 

The abuse directed at McIlroy included frequent shots at his relationship with Stoll, with one fan shouting ‘How’s your divorce going?’, according to Golfweek.

Stoll was a big support to McIlroy in September as he helped Team Europe win the Ryder Cup

In May last year, McIlroy served his wife with divorce papers at their home in Florida. His marriage with the mother of his daughter, Poppy, was ‘irretrievably broken,’ according to court documents.

There were even rumours that the £75m superstar had been involved with CBS Sports presenter Amanda Balionis, which McIlroy simply called ‘unfortunate’ and denied.

But by June last year, less than a month later, McIlroy withdrew the divorce filing. 

At one stage on Thursday, McIlroy also appeared tearful as he paid tribute to the ‘inspirational’ fathers of two of the young girls murdered in the Southport attacks.

Sergio Aguiar’s daughter Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and David Stancombe’s daughter Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 were among the three victims of the killings carried out by Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in July 2024, along with Bebe King, 6.

The two fathers ran the London Marathon earlier this year and received the Helen Rollason Award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Salford on Thursday night.

McIlroy, one of six nominees for the main award, was asked about his daughter Poppy by Clare Balding during his interview and broke down when discussing Aguiar and Stancombe.

Speaking of his 2025 Masters triumph in April, which came after an agonising 11-year wait to clinch that final major, the Northern Irishman said: ‘I didn’t make it easy. When you want something so much, the obstacle becomes yourself. When you go through the heartbreaks, it makes it even sweeter.

McIlroy welled up during his interview at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards

McIlroy, one of six nominees for the main award, was asked about his daughter Poppy and paid tribute to the ‘inspirational’ fathers of two of the young girls murdered in the Southport attacks

Sergio Aguiar (centre, left) and David Stancombe (centre, right) were awarded with the Helen Rollason Award after running the London Marathon after the tragic deaths of their daughters

‘Being a father of a little girl, Elsie and Alice’s dads are absolute heroes,’ McIlroy added, as he struggled to hold back tears.

‘Being a dad makes the losses easier, but it makes the good moments even more special, and to share that with Erika and Poppy… my whole family have gone through this and I could feel everyone with me that day.’