Rory McIlroy slammed for leaving his wife out of emotional victory speech

Over the weekend (13 April), Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy accepted his first Masters trophy, while his family watched on from the crowd.

Clearly buzzing with his career triumph, the 35-year-old sportsman issued a number of thank you messages to the crowd watching on at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia - however, there was one very notable absence from his speech.

McIlroy, who tied the knot with his wife Erica Stoll. 37, in 2017, left her out of his emotional victory speech in a move which has sparked quite the reaction online as golfing fans have rushed to social media to share their gripes. Take a look at the speech below:

Now, McIlroy - who welcomed his and Stoll's daughter, Poppy, back in 2020 - filed for divorce from his spouse in May of last year after seven years of marriage, citing that the union was 'irretrievably broken.'

However, the pair's separation was short-lived as McIlroy later dismissed the divorce just the following month in June 2024.

In his victory speech, the golfer thanked those who supported his journey, adding while getting teary: "Last but certainly not least, over to my left, my family, my team.

"They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through.

Northern Irish golfer, Rory McIlroy, won the Masters tournament on Sunday (13 April) (X/@TheMasters)

"They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try and try and try again."

Turning to four-year-old Poppy, who was sitting on Stoll's lap, McIlroy gushed: "The one thing I’d say to my daughter, Poppy, over there is, 'Never give up on your dreams'."

He continued: "'Keep coming back. Keep working hard and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything'. Love you."

Several people have since picked issue with the fact he didn't mention his wife by name - although family could be considered to include his wife - with one X user writing: "Love the shout-out to his daughter... would've been nice if he acknowledged his wife.

McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, wasn't mentioned by name in his teary victory speech (X/@TheMasters)

"Sorry, but after the divorce back and forth it would have been something he could have done."

A second hit out: "What about his wife for real?"

"Your wife Rory!!!" quipped a third, while another chirped: "No direct mention of his wife?"

And a fifth echoed: "Weird that not once in the entire post-round interviews did he mention his wife by name."

Others, however, loved the speech with a sixth fan beaming: "Family isn’t just support, it’s the soul of every victory!"

"What a great message for his little girl! So happy for him and his family!!" praised a final X user.