Did you know Rory McIlroy was once linked to Meghan Markle?

Rory McIlroy is the man of the moment after his epic Masters win over the weekend, with many people sharing their congratulations to him.One of his celeb ‘pals’ though has kept very quiet (publicly anyways), and that might be because the pair were rumoured to have dated in 2014.It could also be due to the fact the actress went on to become a member of the British Royal Family.

Yes, Rory McIlroy was once linked romantically to none other than Meghan Markle.Prince Harry with Meghan Markle. Pic: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesCast your minds back to the early 2010s, 2014 to be exact, and the Ice Bucket Challenge was gripping the Internet.



Then-Suits star Markle had, surprisingly, been challenged to partake in the trend by the Northern Irish golfer, and she said she’d only do it if he was the one to pour the water onto of her.He obliged, with a video appearing on her now shut down social media, and the duo reportedly went out for dinner and drinks after.Rory McIlroy and Meghan Markle after the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 Pic: Rory McIlroy/XTheir encounter was even mentioned in the book Revenge: The Meghan and Harry Story by Tom Bowman, which said the pair first bumped into one another while he was on a night out in NYC and Meghan was visiting a friend.

The future Duchess of Sussex even wrote about their encounter on her (now defunct) blog, The Tig, commenting on his tipple of choice, Opus One.She wrote: ‘He [McIlroy] is a force who has the propensity to actually work hard and play hard — relishing intense practices to substantiate his title, embracing nights of sipping Opus One (his bold and impressive choice of wine) and indulging in group dinners at Cipriani — for the balance, of course.Rory McIlroy celebrates winning with caddie Harry Diamond after the playoff hole during the final round of the 2025 Masters.

Pic: Andrew Redington/Getty Images‘And yet, beyond his work/play ethic, the most endearing quality of this man is his character — as real and honest as they come, appreciating a simple smile, never shunning a fan photo, enjoying a plate of pasta with veal ragu, and expressing a love for his parents that is rarely seen in men his age. Or at any age, to be honest. He is not just the real deal.

.. he is real.

And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished.’While rumours of romance swirled, sources insisted they were just friends, even after they were spotted having dinner in Dublin’s Fade Street Social.Rory McIlroy poses with daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll holding the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Pic: Reaves/Getty ImagesMcIlroy had been engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, with the pair parting ways around April/May, 2014, and he struck us a relationship with his now-wife Erica only a few months later.

The actress would go on to meet her husband, Prince Harry, in 2016, with Rory getting married to Erica in 2017..