Rory McIlroy will turn his back on potential £12m FedEx Cup jackpot to be at the birth of his daughter

RORY MCILROY is ready to snub a £12million bonanza at the FedEx Cup to be at the birth of his daughter.

The Northern Irishman's wife Erica Stoll is due to have their first child when one of the big events in golf - the FedEx Cup - is played over the next week.

The FedEx Cup is a play-off to determine the winner of the PGA Tour.

McIlroy and American Stoll kept the pregnancy a secret.

But they have revealed all now after a TV commentator unwittingly let slip Erica was due to give birth.

The four-time Major champion disclosed the news during the BMW Championship in Chicago.

McIlroy, 31, married Stoll at a lavish reception at Ashford Castle in County Mayo in Northern Ireland in 2017 attended by soul legend Stevie Wonder and Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

The pair met when Erica worked for PGA with Stoll famously helping McIlroy make his Ryder Cup tee-time in 2012 after oversleeping.

They started dating in 2015 and got engaged that December while on holiday in Paris.

He was previously with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

McIlroy, who previously criticised USA President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus, confirmed the news after completing his round on Saturday.

He said: "We're about to be parents very soon, so we're obviously super excited.

"We've been sharing the news with friends and family, obviously, but I didn't think it was something that I really particularly needed to share out here.

"It's a private matter, but we're really excited and can't wait for her to get here.  I'm just waiting for a phone call."

He will now miss the chance to win £12m as he has flown back to the couple's Florida retreat to be with Stoll for the birth of their first child.