Rory McIlroy
Name:
Rory McIlroyCountry:
N. IrelandBorn:
May 4, 1989 in Holywood, Co. Down, N. Ireland.Original/Home Club:
Holywood, Co. Down, N. Ireland.Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
2007 (+6 hcp)Website:
https://www.rorymcilroy.comMAJORS (4): The Open (2014); US Open (2011); US PGA Ch'ship (2012, '14). Ryder Cup player (2010, '12, '14, '16, '18, '21). Walker Cup player (2007). Multiple wins on the European, US PGA and other international tours. European Tour Order of Merit (Race to Dubai) winner (2012, '14, '15) and PGA Tour leading money winner (2012, '14). FedEx Cup Champion (2016.'19). Has held the official ranking of world's No.1 male golfer. Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE (2012).
Rory McIlroy, like Tiger Woods, was a prodigious golfing talent from a very young age. After an illustrious amateur career he turned professional aged 18, becoming the youngest European Tour player to reach €10 million in career earnings. He subsequently became the youngest player to reach $10 million in earnings on the PGA Tour. In 2013 he signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike worth a total of $250 million.
By 2014 McIlroy was already etching his name into the pantheon of the golfing greats. This was his most successful year (to date), with wins in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, two major championship titles and his first WGC win. As he'd done in 2012, he also topped the season-long money lists on both the European and PGA Tours.
In winning the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool at the age of 25 yrs and 77 days, he became the third youngest golfer to achieve three legs of the Grand Slam (of all four major championships). Only Jack Nicklaus (23 yrs, 181 days) and Tiger Woods (24 yrs, 181 days) achieved this feat at a younger age.
What now features high on McIlroy's target list is winning The Masters, and with it a career Grand Slam of all four majors. No doubt he will also enjoy adding to his already impressive list of major championship wins, Ryder Cup appearances, weeks as the world's No.1 golfer, and PGA Tour FedEx Cups (which he already won in 2016 and 2019).
America
Wells Fargo
Played as the Wells Fargo Championship (May 6-9). Second-placed Abraham Ancer (Mex) finished 1 shot behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who won this event for the third time. [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina].
America
CJ Group
Played as the CJ Cup @ Summit (Oct 14-17; PGA Tour 2021/22 season; relocated From South Korea for a second straight year due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic). Second-placed Collin Morikawa (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded his 20th PGA Tour win. [The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada].
Awards
PGA of America
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest adjusted scoring average (69.057) on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 60 rounds). Patrick Cantlay (USA) was second with 69.306; Webb Simpson (USA) was third with 69.337.
Awards
Eurpn Tr
McIlroy (N.Ire) recorded the lowest 2019 season-long stroke average on the European Tour. Jon Rahm (Esp) was second with 68.76; Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng) was third with 69.14.
WGC
HSBC
Played as the WGC-HSBC Champions (Oct 31-Nov 3; co-sanctioned by world's leading mens professional tours). McIlroy (N.Ire) beat defending champion Xander Schauffele (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole (par-5 18th). [Sheshan Intl GC, Shanghai, China].
America
RBC
Played as the RBC Canadian Open (June 6-9). Second-placed Shane Lowry (Ire) and Webb Simpson (USA) finished 7 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), whose final round 9-under 61 contained two bogeys in the last three holes ... a 59 was narrowly missed! [Hamilton G&CC, Ancaster, Ontario].
America
x
Played as The Players Championship (Mar 14-17). Second-placed Jim Furyk (USA) finished 1 shot behind McIlroy (N.Ire). [Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL].
Awards
FedEx
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA Tour's final event of the season, the Tour Championship (Aug 22-25), and with it the 2018-19 FedEx Cup and $15million first prize. For the first time in the Tour's history, the winner of the final playoff event automatically won the FedEx Cup itself. Second-placed Xander Schauffele (USA) finished 4 shots behind McIlory, and collected $5million. Brooks Koepka (USA) and Justin Thomas (USA) were a shot further back in joint third place, worth $3.5million each. McIlroy joined Tiger Woods as the only player to win the FedEx Cup twice.
Awards
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA Tour 2018-19 Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (69.057) over a minimum of 50 rounds. Patrick Cantlay (USA) was second with 69.306; Webb Simpson (USA) was third with 69.337.
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the 2018-19 Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year, based on the votes of his peers. He received this award for the third time in his career.
America
PGA Tr
Played as the Tour Championship (Aug 22-25; last of three FedExCup playoff events; the winner also being crowned 2019 FedEx Cup champion. For the first time in FedEx Cup history a staggered start was used. First seed Justin Thomas started the tournament at 10-under par; second seed Patrick Cantlay at -8; third seed Brooks Koepka at -7; fourth seed Patrick Reed at -6, and fifth seed Rory McIlroy at -5). Second-placed Xander Schauffele (USA), starting as eighth seed on -4, finished 4 shots behind McIlory (N.Ire). [East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA].
America
Mastercard
Played as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 15-18). Second-placed Bryson DeChambeau (USA) finished 3 shots behind McIlroy (N.Ire), whose final round 8-under-par 64 brought his 14th PGA Tour win. [Bay Hill Club, Orlando, FL].
Awards
FedEx
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA Tour 2015-16 season-long points chase, to capture the FedExCup and $10 million bonus. Dustin Johnson (USA) was second with 2,380 pts; Patrick Reed (USA) was third with 1,986 pts. The Cup is awarded based on points earned during the regular PGA Tour season and in the four playoff events.
America
Deutsche Bank
Played as the Deutsche Bank Championship (Sept 2-5; second of four FedExCup playoff events). Second-placed Paul Casey (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who won this title for the second time. [TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.].
America
x
Played as the Tour Championship (Sept 22-25; last of four FedExCup playoff events). McIlroy (N.Ire) beat Ryan Moore (USA) with a 14ft birdie putt at the fourth playoff hole (par-4 16th). Kevin Chappell (USA) was eliminated at the first playoff hole (par-5 18th). McIlroy gained sufficient points to win the season-long competition for the FedEx Cup. [East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA].
Europe
Dubai Duty Free
Played as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation (May 19-22). Second-placed Bradley Dredge (Wales) and Russell Knox (Scot) finished 3 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who claimed his first win in the Irish Open. [Palmer North course, K Club, Straffan, nr Dublin].
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won his third (and second straight) European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, determined by a panel of representatives from the European Tour and golfing media.
Europe
DP World
Played as the DP World Tour Championship (Nov 19-22; last of four European Tour Final Series events, concluding the season-long Race to Dubai Order of Merit). Second-placed Andy Sullivan (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), whose win gave him enough points to win the 2015 season-long Race to Dubai. [Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE].
Awards
Race to Dubai
McIlroy (N.Ire) claimed his third, and second straight Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 2015 Race to Dubai winner (based on his season-long points tally; points equate to euros won, with Eurpn Tr winnings paid in $ or £ converted to euros). McIlroy (4,727,253 pts) also won a Race to Dubai winner's bonus of US$1,250,000 and final series bonus of US$625,000. Second was Danny Willett (Eng) with 3,670,310 pts plus bonuses of $1,000,000; third was Branden Grace (RSA) with 3,056,948 plus bonuses of $662,500.
WGC
Cadillac
Played as the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship (Apr 29-May 3). McIlroy (N.Ire) beat Gary Woodland (USA) 4 and 2 in the 18-hole final to win the Walter Hagen Cup. [TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, CA].
Europe
Omega
Played as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (Jan 29-Feb 1; European Tour event). Second-placed Alex Norén (Swe) finished 3 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded his tenth European Tour win. [Majlis course, Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE].
America
Wells Fargo
Played as the Wells Fargo Championship (May 14-17). Second-placed Patrick Rodgers (USA) and Webb Simpson (USA) finished 7 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire). [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].
For the second straight year, and third time in total, Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the European Tour Players' Player of the Year Award, based on the votes of his peers.
Awards
Eurpn Tr
For the second straight year McIlroy (N.Ire) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour. Justin Rose (Eng) was second with 69.56; Branden Grace (RSA) was third with 69.58.
For the second time in four years, Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the European Tour Players' Player of the Year Award, based on the votes of his peers.
Europe
BMW
Played as the BMW PGA Championship (May 22-25). Second-placed Shane Lowry (Ire) finished 1 shot behind McIlroy (N.Ire). McIlroy started the final day 7 shots off the lead and shot a 66 to win this prestigious title for the first time. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Awards
Eurpn Tr
McIlroy (N.Ire) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour. Prom Meesawat (Thai) was second with 69.38; Henrik Stenson (Swe) was third with 69.79.
Awards
PGA of America
McIlroy (N.Ire) won his second PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest adjusted scoring average on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 60 rounds). Sergio Garcia (Esp) was second with 68.95; Jim Furyk (USA) was third with 69.20.
Awards
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA Tour 2013-14 Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (over a minimum of 50 rounds). Sergio Garcia (Esp) was second with 68.95; Jim Furyk (USA) was third with 69.20.
Awards
PGA Tour
McIlroy (N. Ire) won his second Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour 2014 leading money winner, with earnings of $8,280,096 on the Tour. Bubba Watson (USA) was second with $6,336,978; Jim Furyk (USA) was third with $5,987,395.
Awards
Race to Dubai
McIlroy (N.Ire) won his second Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 2014 Race to Dubai winner (based on his season-long European Tour earnings denominated in euros). McIlroy finished the season with European Tour earnings of €7,149,503, which included his Race to Dubai winner's bonus of $1,250,000. Second was Henrik Stenson (Swe) with earnings of €4,981,093, includes bonus of $800,000; third was Justin Rose (Eng) with €3,180,388, includes bonus of $530,000. As he did in 2012, McIlroy topped both the US PGA Tour and European Tour money-lists in 2014.
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won his second European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, determined by a panel of representatives from the European Tour, golf writers, and TV and radio commentators.
Awards
PGA of America
McIlroy (N.Ire) won his second PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money list position and scoring average). McIlroy accumulated 160 pts; Bubba Watson (USA) was second with 62 pts; Martin Kaymer (Ger) was third with 52 pts.
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the 2013-14 Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year, based on the votes of his peers. He received this award for the second time in his career.
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (143rd) (July 17-20). Second-placed Sergio Garcia (Esp) and Rickie Fowler (USA) finished 2 shots behind McIlroy (N.Ire). McIlroy (25 yrs and 77 days) became the third youngest golfer to achieve the third leg of the modern Grand Slam (i.e. wins in three of the four major championships). Jack Nicklaus achieved this feat aged 23 yrs and 181 days, while Tiger Woods did it aged 24 yrs and 171 days. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (96th) (Aug 7-10). Second-placed Phil Mickelson (USA) finished 1 shot behind McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded back-to-back major championship wins. At 25 yrs and 98 days McIlroy became the fourth youngest player to win four Majors, behind Young Tom Morris (21 yrs), Tiger Woods (24) and Jack Nicklaus (25). [Valhalla GC, Louisville, Kentucky].
WGC
Bridgestone
Played as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (Jul 31-Aug 3). Second-placed Sergo Garcia (Esp) finished 2 shots behind McIlroy (N. Ire), who recorded his first win in a WGC event. Following the win McIlroy regained the No.1 spot in the official world golf rankings. [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
Aus/NZ
Emirates
Played as the Emirates Australian Open (Nov 28-Dec 1; Aus/OneAsia Trs event). Second-placed Adam Scott (Aus) finished 1 shot behind McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded his first win in 2013. Scott narrowly missed-out on completing the "Australian treble," having already won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters in 2013. [Royal Sydney GC, Sydney, Australia].
Europe
DP World
Played as the DP World Tour Championship (Nov 22-25; conclusion of European Tour's season-long Race to Dubai Order of Merit). Second-placed Justin Rose (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who had already secured the No.1 spot on the Race to Dubai, as well as the PGA Tour Money List in the United States. Topping both money lists was something first achieved by Luke Donald in 2011. [Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE].
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year Award, determined by a panel of representatives from the European Tour, golf writers, and TV and radio commentators.
Awards
PGA Tour
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour 2012 leading money winner, with earnings of $8,047,952. Tiger Woods (USA) was second with $6,133,158; Brandt Snedeker (USA) was third with $4,989,739. McIlroy became the second player to top the US and European money-lists in the same season (just a year earlier, Luke Donald was the first golfer ever to achieve this feat).
Awards
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA Tour 2012 Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (over a minimum of 50 rounds). Tiger Woods (USA) was second with 68.90; Jim Furyk (USA) was third with 69.30.
America
BMW
Played as the BMW Championship (Sept 6-9; third of four FedEx Cup playoff events). Second-placed Lee Westwood (Eng) and Phil Mickelson (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rory McIlroy (N. Ire), who claimed his second straight FedEx Cup playoff win. [Crooked Stick GC, Carmel, Ind.].
Awards
PGA of America
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest adjusted scoring average on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 60 rounds). Jim Furyk (USA) was second with 69.30; Jason Dufner (USA) was third with 69.45. Tiger Woods (USA) averaged 68.90, but became ineligible for the Trophy after withdrawing from the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
America
Deutsche Bank
Played as the Deutsche Bank Championship (Aug 31-Sep 3; second of four FedExCup playoff events). Second-placed Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.].
America
Honda
Played as the Honda Classic (March 1-4). Second-placed Tiger Woods (USA) and Tom Gillis (USA) finished 2 shots behind McIlroy (N.Ire), whose win took him to the World No.1 spot for the first time. McIlroy replaced Luke Donald (Eng), who had been World No.1 for 40 weeks. [Champion course, PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gdns, FL].
Awards
PGA of America
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average). McIlroy accumulated 100 pts; Tiger Woods (USA) was second with 66 pts; Jason Dufner (USA) was third with 50 pts.
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the 2012 Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year, based on the votes of his peers.
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (94th) (Aug 9-12). Second-placed David Lynn (Eng) finished 8 shots behind McIlroy (N.Ire), who claimed his second major championship title. [The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, SC].
Awards
Race to Dubai
McIlroy (N.Ire) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 2012 Race to Dubai winner. McIlroy finished the season with European Tour earnings of €5,519,118, which included his Race to Dubai winner's bonus of $1,000,000. Justin Rose (Eng) was second with €3,768,345; Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) was third with €3,187,364. McIlroy became the second golfer (after Luke Donald in 2011) to top the end-of-season money-lists on both the European and US PGA Tours.
Majors
USGA
The US Open (111th) (June 16-19). Second-placed Jason Day (Aus) finished 8 shots behind wire-to-wire and first-time major championship winner McIlroy (N.Ire). 22-year-old McIlroy recorded the lowest final score against par in a US Open (16-under; he was 17-under at one point), and became the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923. [Blue course, Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland].
Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) won the 2011 European Tour Players' Player of the Year Award, based on the votes of his peers.
Asia
x
Played as the inaugural Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters (30-player invitational event, not sanctioned by the world's leading Tours; renamed the BMW Masters as a Eurpn Tr event in 2012). McIlroy (N.Ire) beat Anthony Kim (USA) in a playoff, to win the biggest single-tournament prize in golf in 2011. [Lake Malaren GC, Shanghai, China].
Asia
UBS
Played as the UBS Hong Kong Open (Dec 1-4; Asian/Eurpn Trs event). Second-placed Gregory Havret (Fra) finished 2 shots behind McIlroy (N.Ire). [Hong Kong GC, Fanling; composite of 10 holes from Eden course, 8 from the New].
America
x
Played as the Quail Hollow Championship (Apr 29-May 2). Second-placed Phil Mickelson (USA) finished 4 shots behind 20-year-old Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who shot a course-record 62 (-10) in the final round to claim his first PGA Tour win. Two days later he celebrated his 21st birthday! [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].
Europe
x
Played as the Dubai Desert Classic (Jan 29-Feb 1; European Tour event). Second-placed Justin Rose (Eng) finished 1 shot behind 19-year-old Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), who recorded his first professional win and first on the European Tour. [Majlis course, Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE].
Awards
Eurpn Tr
McIlroy (N.Ire) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour. Sergio Garcia (Esp) was second with 69.83; Francesco Molinari (Italy) was third with 69.85.
Amateur
EGA
Played as the European Amateur Championship. Second-placed Stephen Lewton (Eng) finished 3 shots behind 17-year-old McIlroy (N.Ire). [La Betulle course, GC Biella, Magnano, nr Biella, Italy].
Tournaments:
PGA Championship: the year’s second men’s major championship is hosted by Southern Hills CC, Tulsa, Oklahoma, amidst doubt as to whether reigning champion Phil Mickelson will defend his title (May 19-22).
Soudal Open: Belgium’s return to European Tour golf sees 36-hole Rinkven International GC host the Soudal Open, the country’s national open championship (May 12-15).
Who's Who:
Scottie Scheffler: bags the 2022 Masters Tournament title, and with it a fourth win in six starts on the PGA Tour and his first major championship victory.
Stephen Dodd: took the European Senior Tour’s 2021 Order of Merit honours following the abandonment due to rain of the season’s final event, the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius (April 1-3, 2022).
Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in Europe. From France to Spain to the Netherlands and Norway, the Golf World Top 100 panel reveals the places you have to play (published 20 October 2021).
New 27-hole golf complex to be built in southern Belgium
A new golf complex in southern Belgium, close to the border with Luxembourg, will start construction in June 2021.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club "makes its tournament debut with the hosting of the Italian Open on the European Tour" by Richard Humphreys
Gamble Sands opens short course:
David McLay Kidd’s 14-hole QuickSands short course has opened for play at Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington.
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