Brooks Koepka's Heartfelt Tribute to Wife Jena Amid Rumors of Rory McIlroy's Divorce

Brooks Koepka's Post About Wife Jena Likely Wasn't the Dig at Rory McIlroy Fans Made It Out to Be

Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Brooks Koepka recently shared a post on Instagram that had some golf fans wondering if it was aimed at Rory McIlroy. The 35-year-old golfer took to social media on Tuesday, May 15, to celebrate his wife Jena Sims being featured in the 60th anniversary issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

Koepka expressed his pride for @jenamsims and highlighted the results of her hard work in a post on social media. The post also featured a photo from the magazine.

Following Koepka's post, some followers raised questions about the timing of his social media update. This was because news had just been reported about McIlroy, 35, filing for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll. The comments made light of the seemingly coincidental timing.

“Well well well he saw the divorce files,” wrote one user while another added, “Let the mind games begin.”

Brooks Koepka's Post About Wife Jena Likely Wasn't the Dig at Rory McIlroy Fans Made It Out to Be

Speculation about Brooks Koepka's intentions increased even further when Caroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy's ex-fiancée, responded with a comment saying, "Hot mama." Brooks Koepka and Jena Sims were in the spotlight.

Another observer thought that Koepka was trying to "mess with Rory's mind" before the PGA Championship 2024.

It was verified that McIlroy officially started the process to end his marriage in Florida on Monday, May 13. This happened just a few days before the PGA Championship, where McIlroy is considered one of the top contenders. (He clinched the major victory back in 2014.)

Rory McIlroy's spokesperson informed the Irish Star that a divorce has been filed. They emphasized Rory's wish for a respectful and amicable resolution during this tough time. Rory will not be making any additional statements.

There were speculations that Koepka was making negative remarks about McIlroy's personal life before their upcoming match on the course. However, despite years of rivalry rumors, the athletes are actually on good terms.

Brooks Koepka's Post About Wife Jena Likely Wasn't the Dig at Rory McIlroy Fans Made It Out to Be

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll. Warren Little/Getty Images

When I first started out from ’12 to ’16, I looked up to him a little bit,” Koepka shared on the “Warming Up” podcast in April. He mentioned that he did not want to say he idolized the person, but he admired him. Koepka also mentioned that during that time, he learned from players like Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, and Rory, who was playing exceptionally well. He mentioned that he would pick up little things from each of these players and incorporate them into his own game.

As time passed, Koepka mentioned that his friendship with the person grew. They enjoyed playing together and against each other. Koepka shared that they practice at the same place and live in the same area, which has strengthened their bond over the years. He expressed that it has been a lot of fun and how could they not enjoy each other's company.

McIlroy and Stoll first met in 2012 while he was still in a relationship with Wozniacki. After breaking off his engagement with Wozniacki, McIlroy and Stoll began dating and eventually got engaged in 2015. Two years later, the couple got married and later welcomed their daughter Poppy, who is now 3 years old.

In 2015, at an event, McIlroy expressed his admiration for Stoll, praising her for bringing a sense of normalcy into his life. He described her as having a calming presence and a sense of tranquility that is evident to everyone around her. McIlroy highlighted Stoll's preference to stay out of the spotlight and her comfort in being in the background. He credited her with influencing him positively and bringing a sense of balance to his life, both in his public persona and in his personal life at home.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the recent social media post by Brooks Koepka, which sparked speculation about a possible dig at Rory McIlroy amidst his divorce proceedings. However, despite the initial assumptions, Koepka has previously expressed admiration and friendship towards McIlroy, indicating that the timing of his post may have been coincidental.

The article also delves into the history of McIlroy's relationship with Erica Stoll, mentioning their engagement in 2015, marriage in 2017, and the birth of their daughter Poppy in 2020. McIlroy has spoken highly of Stoll's influence on his life, praising her calming presence and her preference to stay out of the spotlight. Despite the recent divorce filing, McIlroy has requested a respectful and amicable resolution, emphasizing his desire for privacy during this difficult time.