Rory McIlroy: Player Profile

Tour

Jul 14, 2023

Who is Rory McIlroy?

One of the most gifted golfers in the history of the sport, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is a four-time major champion, former World No 1, and one of the faces of both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

McIlroy had the opportunity to move Stateside to play college golf, but opted to stay at home, playing amateur golf in Europe. He topped the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and was a member of European Walker Cup teams before turning professional.

His third professional victory was also his first major title. McIlroy lifted the 2011 US Open, where his aggregate score of 268 was a new record for the tournament, as he finished eight shots clear of the field. That was followed by two wins at the PGA Championship (in 2012 and 2014), and the Open Championship in 2014.

The Northern Irishman has won the PGA Tour’s season-long FedEx Cup on three occasions, the DP World Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai four times. He has also won the BMW PGA Championship and the Players Championship, the flagship events on the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, respectively. However, a T2 finish at the Masters Tournament in 2022 is the closest McIlroy has come to completing the Grand Slam.

McIlroy has been a key part of the European team for more than a decade, with six Ryder Cup appearances to his name. He has 14 points across those six events, with the European team winning on four occasions.

Rory McIlroy | An Overview

Personal Information

Name: Rory Daniel McIlroy
Born: May 4, 1989
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Residence: Jupiter, Florida, United States

Career

Turned Pro: 2007
Professional Wins: 34
Highest World Ranking: 1 – March 4, 2012

Best Results In Majors

4x Major Champion – 2011 US Open, 2012 & 2014 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship

Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – 2nd (2022)
– PGA Championship – WIN (2012, 2014)
– US Open – WIN (2011)
– Open Championship – WIN (2014)

Professional Wins – 34

2009 (1) – Dubai Desert Classic
2010 (1) – Quail Hollow Championship
2011 (3) – US Open, Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, UBS Hong Kong Open
2012 (5) – Honda Classic, PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship, BMW Championship, DP World Tour Championship
2013 (1) – Emirates Australian Open
2014 (4) – BMW PGA Championship, Open Championship, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship
2015 (4) – Omega Dubai Desert Classic, WGC-Cadillac Match Play, Wells Fargo Championship, DP World Tour Championship
2016 (3) – Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Deutsche Bank Championship, Tour Championship
2018 (1) – Arnold Palmer Invitational
2019 (4) – The PLAYERS Championship, RBC Canadian Open, Tour Championship, WGC-HSBC Champions
2021 (2) – Wells Fargo Championship, CJ Cup
2022 (3) – RBC Canadian Open, Tour Championship, CJ Cup
2023 (1) – Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Genesis Scottish Open

Achievements and Awards

PGA Player of the Year – 2012, 2013-14
PGA Tour Player of the Year – 2012, 2013-14, 2018-19
Vardon Trophy – 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022
Byron Nelson Award – 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022
Race to Dubai Champion – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022
European Tour Golfer of the Year – 2012, 2014, 2015
European Tour Players’ Golfer of the Year – 2012, 2014, 2015
Mark H. McCormack Award – 2012, 2014, 2015
FedEx Cup Champion – 2016, 2019, 2022

Rory McIlroy | What’s In His Bag?

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (9º; Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X shaft)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15º @ 13º; Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X. 19º @ 18.25º; Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X)
Irons: TaylorMade Stealth UDI (16º; Project X Hazardous 65 105 shaft), TaylorMade P760 (3-4; Project X Rifle 7.0 shafts), TaylorMade P730 Rors Proto (5-PW; Project X Rifle 7.0 shafts)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 Raw (54º; Project X Rifle 6.5 shaft), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Proto (58 bent to 59 degrees; Project X Rifle 6.5 shaft)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast (Flow Neck, Superstroke Pistol GT Tour grip)
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (#22)
Clothing: Nike
Shoes: Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About Rory McIlroy

When and where was Rory McIlroy born?

Rory McIlroy was born on May 4, 1989, in Holywood, Northern Ireland. McIlroy started playing golf at a very early age. His talent was recognized when he was still a toddler, hitting 40-yard drives at the age of two. McIlroy turned professional in 2007, at the age of 18.

Who is Rory McIlroy married to?

McIlroy married former PGA of America employee Erica Stoll in 2017, having been dating for two years prior. Their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, was born in August 2020.

What is Rory McIlroy’s net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rory McIlroy’s net worth is around $ 170 million. He has earned more than $125 million from PGA Tour winnings alone. That places him 2nd behind only Tiger Woods as the leading PGA Tour money earner.

Who are some of the golfers that Rory McIlroy is often compared to?

Due to his early success and phenomenal talent, Rory McIlroy is often compared to golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gary Player.

What records does Rory McIlroy hold?

Some of McIlroy’s significant records include being the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, the first European to win three different majors, and winning his first two major championships with record-breaking 8-shot victories.

Did you Know?

Youngest Player to Reach $10 Million in PGA Tour Earnings

Rory McIlroy achieved this feat in 2012, surpassing Tiger Woods as the youngest player to reach the $10 million mark in career earnings on the PGA Tour. He also remains the youngest player to have reached €10 million in career earnings on the DP World Tour as well.

First European to Win Three Different Majors

McIlroy’s major victories span the U.S. Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open Championship in 2014, making him the first European golfer to have been successful in three different majors.

Part of the Elite ‘Three Majors Before 25’ Club

With his victory at the 2014 Open Championship, McIlroy joined an exclusive group including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as one of the only players to win three of golf’s four majors before turning 25.

Record-breaking 8-shot Wins

Rory secured his first two major championships with 8-shot victories, matching the largest winning margins in the history of both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.

Youngest Member of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team

In 2010, at just 21 years old, McIlroy became the youngest player to make the European Ryder Cup team, underlining his exceptional talent from an early age. He has gone on to be a focal part of the team ever since.

Rory Foundation

Off the green, McIlroy is equally dedicated. In 2013, he established the Rory Foundation, a charity focused on helping children and families live better lives through various initiatives worldwide.