Ryder Cup Star Rory McIlroy Insists He Still Lives in U.S.—Calling It ‘the Best Country in the World’—After Building New Family Home in U.K.

Professional golfer Rory McIlroy has kicked off the 2025 Ryder Cup by sharing a gushing tribute to its host nation, calling the U.S. the "best country in the world," while insisting that he still resides very much in America—despite building his family a lavish new mansion in the U.K.

McIlroy, 36, is representing Europe in the historic tournament, which is being held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, NY, over the weekend and where his team will attempt to defend the trophy against the U.S. side.

But while the father of one might be competing for Europe, he was quick to praise the host country, where he has lived since 2013, having first purchased a home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, before relocating to Jupiter, FL, in 2017.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the start of the tournament, McIlroy noted that the U.S. was always a place he dreamed of living, according to Fox News.

"Everyone wanted to make it in America," McIlroy—who was born in Northern Ireland—said of his view of the U.S. when he was younger.

"It's the land of opportunity. And I still believe it's the best country in the world, and if you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want."

He then went on to shut down speculation that he has relocated away from the U.S. in favor of taking up full-time residence back in the U.K., where he and his wife, Erica Stoll, recently built a dream family home outside of London.

However, despite numerous reports circulating that the couple—along with their daughter, Poppy—were moving there permanently, McIlroy insisted that he still lives in the U.S. with his wife, who is from New York, and their child, who was born in Florida.

"I am unbelievably grateful and lucky that I got to come to America early on. I think success is celebrated here. I think there's a wonderful sense of work ethic. And yeah, I live here," he said.

"My wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is, it's a wonderful place."

McIlroy shared his glowing opinion of the U.S. just a few months after revealing the news about his family's newly built dwelling in Wentworth, Surrey, explaining during an April press conference that they had traveled to visit the house during a brief trip to the U.K.

"We first went to London with Erica and [our daughter] Poppy to see our new home that we're building and we made the trip over to Belfast to see a few other people that are important to us," McIlroy said, according to NBC Sports.

"Just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad. To see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry [Diamond] and his wife. [To] celebrate with the people that have been part of this whole thing for my entire career was absolutely amazing."

Though he did not elaborate further on what the home would be used for, it was later reported by British outlet The Telegraph that McIlroy and Stoll were planning a move back to the U.K. on a permanent basis.

McIlroy then appeared to confirm these reports in July, when he opened up about how his relocation had given a serious boost to his golfing game.

"We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and been since trying to settle in, and it's amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you, and sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while," he told The Telegraph ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open.

"It’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year. Obviously, we have this week in Scotland and then a massive week next week [for the Open] in Portrush."

He went on to explain that he feels able to detach from the game in the U.K., while suggesting that he struggled to "get away from" golf while living in Florida—where his home is located in one of the most iconic golfing hubs in the world.

However, property records show that McIlroy and Stoll still own their Jupiter mansion, which the sports star purchased from fellow golfer Ernie Els for $11 million in 2017.

Over the years, Jupiter has been home to a huge number of professional golfers, who are drawn to the location by its many resplendent courses, as well as the state's lack of income tax.

Typically, golfers who reside full time in the U.S. must pay income taxes on all taxable income that is earned worldwide, according to H&R Block. They are also subject to state income tax if they live in a state that requires it.

"Consequently, many golfers claim residency in Florida due to its lack of a state income tax," H&R Block notes.

Indeed, McIlroy is one of a long line of golfers who have made their home in Florida—specifically in Jupiter, which has become something of a haven for the wealthiest and most successful players in the sport over the last three decades.

His property is located inside the iconic Bear's Club community, a gated neighborhood filled with high-end homes, all of which surround the club's stunning private golf course.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who has served as something of a mentor to McIlroy, founded the club with his wife, Barbara, in 1999, having moved to the area in 1966.

Over the years, the club has seen an astonishing number of professional golfers sign up for memberships, including McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Cantlay, all of whom are understood to have turned to Nicklaus for guidance in their careers over the years.

McIlroy's home is just a four-minute drive from the main clubhouse and offers sweeping views of the club's stunning course.

As for his new home in the U.K., McIlroy and Stoll are reported to have purchased the land on which their opulent abode now sits back in 2023—and are understood to have spent millions of dollars on the construction of their dream home.

That work continued even after McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in 2024, although he quickly called off the split just a few weeks later, and the home was reportedly finished in May.