The Phone Call That Ended 'Wozzilroy': 5 Shocking Facts About Rory McIlroy And Caroline Wozniacki's Broken Engagement

The relationship between golf superstar Rory McIlroy and tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki, affectionately dubbed 'Wozzilroy,' was one of the most high-profile romances in sports history, culminating in a spectacular New Year's Eve engagement. However, the fairytale abruptly ended just five months later in a highly publicized split that shocked the world of golf and tennis, proving that even two World Number 1 athletes couldn't always make a power couple last. As of December 10, 2025, both athletes have moved on to successful marriages and growing families, but the story of their broken engagement remains a fascinating case study in celebrity romance and the pressures of elite sport.

The core question—what truly happened after the December 2013 proposal—continues to intrigue fans. The split was reportedly initiated by a brief, brutal phone call, leaving Wozniacki completely blindsided. This article dives deep into the biographies of both stars, the specifics of their dramatic breakup, and their current, happy lives over a decade later.

The Power Couple: Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki Biographies

Before their engagement, both Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki had already established themselves as global icons in their respective sports, bringing immense star power to their three-year relationship.

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Rory McIlroy Profile

• Full Name: Rory McIlroy
• Date of Birth: May 4, 1989
• Nationality: Northern Irish
• Residence: Jupiter, Florida, USA
• Career Highlights: Former World Number 1 (spent over 100 weeks at the top). Winner of four Major Championships: The Open Championship (2014), US Open (2011), and two PGA Championships (2012, 2014). He is one of the few players to have won three different majors.
• Estimated Net Worth (2024): Approximately $250 Million, with earnings exceeding $100 million on the PGA Tour alone.
• Current Status: Married to Erica Stoll (since 2017). They have one daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy.

Caroline Wozniacki Profile

• Full Name: Caroline Wozniacki
• Date of Birth: July 11, 1990
• Nationality: Danish
• Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
• Career Highlights: Former World Number 1 on the WTA Tour (held the top spot for 67 weeks). Winner of the 2018 Australian Open, her sole Grand Slam singles title. She has won 30 WTA singles titles in her career.
• Estimated Net Worth (2024): Approximately $80 Million, with career prize money exceeding $35 million.
• Current Status: Married to former NBA All-Star David Lee (since 2019). They have two children and are currently expecting their third baby. She has also made a return to the professional tennis circuit.

The Fairytale Engagement and the Sudden, Brutal Breakup

The relationship between the two athletes began in 2011 and quickly became a media sensation. Their cross-sport romance was lauded as a modern-day sports dynasty. Their engagement on New Year's Eve 2013, announced with a photo of a massive diamond ring, seemed to confirm their destiny as a permanent power couple.

However, the dream shattered in May 2014, just days after wedding invitations had been sent out. The timing and the manner of the split made it one of the most shocking celebrity breakups of the decade.

1. The Three-Minute Phone Call That Ended Everything

The most widely reported and painful detail of the breakup was the method used by Rory McIlroy. The golf star reportedly ended the engagement with a phone call that lasted mere minutes. This unilateral decision left Caroline Wozniacki completely blindsided and devastated. She later publicly revealed the lack of closure, stating, "I thought at least I would get a face-to-face or something."

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2. McIlroy’s Public Statement and the "Realization"

Rory McIlroy was the one who went public first, issuing a statement that placed the blame squarely on himself. He claimed that the sending of the wedding invitations made him realize he wasn't ready for the commitment of marriage. His statement read: "The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn't ready for all that the marriage entailed." This "realization" after three years of dating and an engagement was a source of intense media scrutiny and public debate.

3. The Immediate Aftermath: A Career Boost for McIlroy

In a bizarre twist of fate, the immediate aftermath of the split saw a significant upturn in Rory McIlroy's professional career. Just five days after calling off the engagement, the Northern Irishman went on to win the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. This victory was followed by an incredible run, including his third and fourth Major Championships: The Open Championship and the PGA Championship, solidifying his status as a golf legend. Many commentators speculated that the end of the relationship allowed him to focus entirely on his game.

Life After 'Wozzilroy': Finding Lasting Love and Success

The breakup provided a difficult but necessary turning point for both athletes. Both Rory and Caroline used the painful experience to focus on their careers and, eventually, find lasting happiness with new partners who were also deeply connected to the world of professional sports.

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Caroline Wozniacki’s New Chapter with David Lee

Caroline Wozniacki found her second chance at love with former NBA All-Star David Lee. The couple announced their engagement in November 2017 and were married in a lavish ceremony in Tuscany in June 2019. Wozniacki has often spoken about how the difficult split with McIlroy helped her "grow up so much" and better understand what she wanted in a partner. The Danish tennis star achieved her career pinnacle after the breakup, winning the 2018 Australian Open, her first and only Grand Slam title. Today, Wozniacki and David Lee are focused on raising their growing family, with the tennis star having made a highly anticipated return to the WTA Tour in 2023.

Rory McIlroy’s Marriage to Erica Stoll

Rory McIlroy, who had cited not being ready for marriage in 2014, went on to marry Erica Stoll in 2017. Stoll, a former PGA of America employee, famously saved McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup when she noticed he had overslept. Their relationship was more private and less of a media spectacle than his previous one. They married in a private ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland. The couple welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, in 2020. McIlroy credits Stoll with providing the stability and privacy he needed, allowing him to maintain his focus on becoming one of the most dominant golfers on the PGA Tour.

The dramatic story of Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki's engagement and subsequent breakup serves as a powerful reminder of the intense pressure and complexity of navigating a relationship in the public eye. While the ending was painful, both global stars leveraged the experience to find greater personal happiness and continued professional success, each building a family life with a partner who understands the demands of an elite athletic career.