Tiger Woods’ 4am texts to Rory McIlroy weren’t just a test of friendship — they also tested his wife Erica Stoll’s patience.
Fresh details emerging from a new biography about the Northern Irish golf superstar have lifted the lid on the unusual late-night communication habits of Woods, and how it briefly caused tension off the course.
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According to excerpts from golf journalist Alan Shipnuck’s book ‘Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar’, Woods would regularly text McIlroy in the early hours of the morning, often after struggling to sleep.
“He struggles to sleep, which I think is an effect of overtraining, so I tell him to calm down sometimes,” McIlroy said in the book. “He’d be texting me at four o’clock in the morning: ‘Up lifting. What are you doing?’”
While the exchanges may have seemed harmless between two of the sport’s biggest icons, they didn’t always go down well at home.
“Erica actually got p***ed off with it,” McIlroy admitted. “He was texting me in the middle of the night and I was like, ‘Tiger is in the gym.’”
The revelation paints a candid if not slightly chaotic picture of the bond between Woods and McIlroy, a friendship that has grown significantly over the past decade.
Once fierce rivals, the pair have evolved into close confidants and business partners who are united not only by their dominance on the course but also by shared ambitions to reshape the future of golf.
Their relationship has deepened in recent years, particularly after Woods’ life-threatening car crash in 2021, when McIlroy travelled to visit him during his recovery.
For McIlroy, who idolised Woods growing up in Northern Ireland, the connection remains surreal.
“He has been an idol and a hero of mine over the years, and I feel pretty lucky that I’ve gotten to know him more intimately than some,” he said. “He’s so passionate about what we’re doing … having his influence and his counsel — not just myself but all the players — he’s a great advocate to have.”
The pair are now central figures in golf’s evolving landscape, including their involvement in TMRW Sports and the tech-driven indoor golf league TGL, which aims to attract a new generation of fans.
Despite their close relationship, Woods will not be alongside McIlroy this week at Augusta National, where the 36-year-old is defending his Masters title. The five-time champion is currently in Switzerland undergoing rehabilitation following a high-profile car crash in Florida earlier this year.
The incident which led to Woods being charged with driving under the influence has kept him sidelined from competitive golf.
McIlroy acknowledged the absence of Woods, as well as fellow legend Phil Mickelson, during the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta.
“So many legends of the game there,” he said. “Obviously there’s two that won’t be with us this year, which is a shame, but hopefully they will be with us in the future.”
He added that both players would still be recognised during the prestigious gathering.
“They’ve been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen.”
For now, McIlroy remains focused on defending his Green Jacket — a milestone achievement that finally completed his career Grand Slam — while reflecting on the unique relationships that have shaped his journey.
