History of Rory McIlroy in Timeline

Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer renowned for his achievements on both the European and PGA Tours. He reached the world number one ranking and held it for over 100 weeks. A five-time major champion, McIlroy is only the sixth golfer to complete the modern career Grand Slam, distinguishing himself as the first European to accomplish this significant milestone.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1923: Bobby Jones' U.S. Open Victory

In 1923, Bobby Jones was the youngest winner of the U.S. Open until Rory McIlroy's victory in 2011.

1980: Jack Nicklaus's PGA Championship Victory

In 1980, Jack Nicklaus won the PGA Championship by seven strokes, a record that stood until Rory McIlroy surpassed it in 2012.

1980: Seve Ballesteros' Masters Tournament Victory

In 1980, Seve Ballesteros won the Masters Tournament. This victory made him the youngest multiple major champion since Rory McIlroy in 2012.

1982: Uncle Mickey McDonald won Ulster Senior Football Championship

In 1982, Rory McIlroy's uncle Mickey McDonald, on his mother's side, won the Ulster Senior Football Championship for Armagh GAA.

1987: Ireland Last Won European Amateur Team Championship

In 1987, before Rory McIlroy led them to victory, was the last time Ireland won the European Amateur Team Championship.

January 1988: Parents' Marriage

In January 1988, Rory McIlroy's parents, Rosaleen "Rosie" McDonald and Gerry McIlroy, married at St Colmcille's Church in Holywood, both aged 27.

May 1989: Rory McIlroy Born

On May 1989, Rory Daniel McIlroy was born. He is a Northern Irish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and the PGA Tour.

1993: Lee Janzen's U.S. Open Record

In 1993, Lee Janzen held a share of the U.S. Open record with a score of 272, which was later broken by Rory McIlroy in 2011.

1996: Release of Happy Gilmore

The original movie "Happy Gilmore" was released in 1996.

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1997: Watched Tiger Woods Victory at the Masters

As a child, Rory McIlroy watched every hole of Tiger Woods's victory at the 1997 Masters Tournament, fueling his passion for golf.

1998: Interview with BBC Sport

In 1998, during an interview with BBC Sport, Rory McIlroy shared his ambition to win all four major championship titles.

2000: Tiger Woods's U.S. Open Record

In 2000, Tiger Woods held a share of the U.S. Open record with a score of 272 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, later surpassed by Rory McIlroy in 2011. Woods also recorded 12-under in relation to par.

2002: Won Ulster Boys' U15 Championship

In 2002, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U15 Championship, marking an early achievement in his amateur career.

2003: Jim Furyk's U.S. Open Record

In 2003, Jim Furyk held a share of the U.S. Open record with a score of 272, which was later broken by Rory McIlroy in 2011.

2003: Won Ulster Boys' U18 Championship

In 2003, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U18 Championship, demonstrating his continued success in junior golf.

2004: Played in European Boys' Team Championship and Junior Ryder Cup

In 2004, Rory McIlroy was a member of the Irish team at the European Boys' Team Championship in Finland and the European team which won the Junior Ryder Cup against the United States in Ohio.

2004: Signed Letter of Intent

In late 2004, Rory McIlroy signed a letter of intent to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University before forgoing the golf scholarship.

May 2005: European Tour Debut

In May 2005, at the age of 16, Rory McIlroy made his European Tour debut at the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters.

August 2005: First Cut in Professional Tournament

In August 2005, Rory McIlroy made his first cut in a professional tournament at the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge on the Challenge Tour, finishing seven strokes behind the winner.

2005: Won West of Ireland Championship and Irish Close Championship

In 2005, Rory McIlroy became the youngest-ever winner of both the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship.

2005: Left School to Concentrate on Golf

In 2005, Rory McIlroy decided to leave school to focus entirely on his golfing career.

2005: Young Player of the Year award

In 2005, Rory McIlroy received the Young Player of the Year award at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards, marking an early recognition of his burgeoning talent.

2005: Represented Ireland at European Amateur Team Championship

In 2005, Rory McIlroy represented Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championship, but Ireland did not advance to the match-play portion.

2005: Achievements Since 2005

Since 2005, Rory McIlroy is the only player other than Tiger Woods to win four PGA Tour events in a single season.

August 2006: Won the European Amateur

In August 2006, Rory McIlroy won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club, near Milan, Italy, earning him an exemption to The Open Championship the following year.

February 2007: First Cut on European Tour

In February 2007, Rory McIlroy made his first cut on the European Tour as a 17-year-old at the Dubai Desert Classic, but had to forego prize money due to his amateur status.

September 2007: Turned Professional

On September 18, 2007, Rory McIlroy turned professional and signed with International Sports Management. He made his first professional start the following day at the Quinn Direct British Masters.

2007: Competed for Ireland at European Amateur Team Championship

In 2007, Rory McIlroy competed for Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championship, leading Ireland to victory and claiming their first title since 1987.

2007: Major Championship Debut and End of Amateur Career

In 2007, Rory McIlroy made his major championship debut at The Open Championship, finishing as the low amateur and winning the silver medal. He ended his amateur career at the Walker Cup in September.

2007: Reached Number One in World Amateur Golf Ranking

In 2007, Rory McIlroy reached number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking as a 17-year-old. Later in 2007, he turned professional and soon established himself on the European Tour.

2007: Tiger Woods first FedEx Cup Win

Tiger Woods first won the FedEx Cup in 2007.

January 2008: Entered Top 200 of OWGR

On January 27, 2008, Rory McIlroy entered the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the first time.

September 2008: Lost Playoff at Omega European Masters

On September 7, 2008, Rory McIlroy took a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters, but lost in a play-off with Jean-François Lucquin.

November 2008: Moved into Top 50 of OWGR

In November 2008, Rory McIlroy moved into the top 50 of the OWGR after finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

2008: First Year without a win

2008 was the last year before 2017 that McIlroy did not win any tournaments.

2008: JP Fitzgerald becomes McIlroy's caddie

In 2008, JP Fitzgerald became Rory McIlroy's caddie, starting a long-term partnership. The partnership ended in 2017.

2008: George Best Breakthrough Prize

In 2008, McIlroy was awarded the George Best Breakthrough Prize, celebrating his rapid ascent and impact on the world of sports.

2008: Secured European Tour Card

In 2008, Rory McIlroy secured his European Tour card after finishing in a tie for 4th place at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano, becoming the youngest affiliate member in the history of the European Tour to earn a tour card.

February 2009: First Professional Win

On February 1, 2009, Rory McIlroy secured his first professional win at age 19, claiming victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, which took him to 16th in the OWGR.

2009: Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year award

In 2009, McIlroy won the Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year award, further solidifying his status as a prominent figure in sports.

2009: First Win on European Tour

In 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the European Tour.

2009: Invited to the Masters Tournament

In 2009, Rory McIlroy's ranking of 39th earned him an invitation to the Masters Tournament.

2009: Bought Parents a House

In 2009, after finding success as a professional golfer, Rory McIlroy bought his parents a house as a gesture of gratitude for their sacrifices.

2009: Continued Success in Golf

Throughout 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved several milestones including reaching the quarterfinals at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, making his Masters debut and finishing T-47 at the Open Championship.

2009: Tiger Woods second FedEx Cup Win

Tiger Woods won his second FedEx Cup in 2009.

2010: First Win on PGA Tour

In 2010, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the PGA Tour.

2010: Ryder Cup Selection and Return to European Tour

In 2010, Rory McIlroy automatically qualified and was selected to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup. He tied his Sunday singles match against Stewart Cink, contributing to Europe's 14.5–13.5 victory. Following the Ryder Cup, in November 2010, he announced his return to playing full-time on the European Tour, while maintaining a limited schedule on the PGA Tour.

2010: Played in the Ryder Cup

In 2010, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning.

2010: Tied for Third at the Open Championship

In July 2010, Rory McIlroy tied the course record with a 9-under-par 63 on the opening day of The Open Championship, ultimately tying for third place. In August 2010, he finished in third-place at the PGA Championship.

2010: First PGA Tour Win at Quail Hollow Championship

On May 2, 2010, Rory McIlroy shot a course-record 62 in the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship to beat Phil Mickelson by four strokes and record his first PGA Tour win.

2011: Named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

For his achievements, Rory McIlroy was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year in 2011.

2011: Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland

In 2011, Rory McIlroy became an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland, and visited Haiti with UNICEF in June of that year.

2011: Started dating Caroline Wozniacki

In 2011, Rory McIlroy began dating Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.

2011: Won First Major Championship

In 2011, Rory McIlroy won his first major championship at the U.S. Open.

2011: Runner-Up at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship & Masters Tournament

In January 2011, Rory McIlroy finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, eight strokes behind Martin Kaymer. In April 2011, he led the Masters Tournament after a first-round 65, becoming the youngest player to hold the first-round lead, but finished in a tie for 15th after shooting an 80 in the final round.

2011: Mixed Results: Open Championship, PGA Championship, and Wins

In July 2011, Rory McIlroy finished tied-25th at the Open Championship due to tough weather. At the 2011 PGA Championship, he injured his wrist. In October 2011, he won the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, earning $2 million. In December 2011, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open.

2011: U.S. Open Victory at Congressional Country Club

In June 2011, Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. He set records for the lowest 36-hole (131) and 54-hole (199) totals and finished with a record 72-hole score of 268 (-16), winning by eight strokes. At 22, McIlroy became the youngest winner since 1923.

2012: Regret over PGA Tour Decision

In 2012, Rory McIlroy expressed regret over his 2010 decision to give up his PGA Tour card and skip the 2011 Players Championship. McIlroy cited his manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour as a key factor in their later professional split.

2012: Played in the Ryder Cup

In 2012, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning.

2012: Won the PGA Championship

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship, adding to his major championship wins.

2012: Masters and Wells Fargo Championship Results

In April 2012, Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for 40th at the Masters Tournament after struggling on the weekend. In May 2012, he contended at the Wells Fargo Championship but lost in a playoff to Rickie Fowler.

2012: PGA Championship Victory at Kiawah Island

In August 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island Ocean Course by a record eight strokes. At age 23, McIlroy became the youngest multiple major champion since Seve Ballesteros in 1980.

2012: Runner-Up Finishes and Honda Classic Victory

In January 2012, Rory McIlroy finished second at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. In February 2012, he was runner-up at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. In March 2012, he won the Honda Classic, reaching world number one for the first time.

2012: Ryder Cup and DP World Tour Championship Victory

In September 2012, Rory McIlroy played in the Ryder Cup, securing three points for the European team despite a late arrival due to a tee time mix-up. He helped Europe win. In November 2012, he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

2012: Last Away victory for Europe in Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup marked the first away victory for Europe since 2012.

2012: Tiger Woods crosses $100 million

Tiger Woods was the first golfer to reach $100 million in official PGA Tour earnings, crossing the mark in 2012.

December 2013: Engagement to Caroline Wozniacki

In December 2013, Rory McIlroy became engaged to Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.

2013: OWGR Drop and Emirates Australian Open Victory

As a result of his poor form, Rory McIlroy dropped from first to sixth in the OWGR. In December 2013, he won the Emirates Australian Open, beating Adam Scott by one stroke with a birdie on the final hole.

2013: Struggles with Equipment Change and Withdrawals

At the beginning of 2013, Rory McIlroy struggled with an equipment change after signing a deal with Nike in January. He missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January and withdrew from the Honda Classic in February.

2013: Cancelled Haiti trip and Management Donated to UNICEF without approval

In 2013, Rory McIlroy cancelled a trip to Haiti with UNICEF due to a conflict with the Valero Texas Open. His management team Horizon donated $166,000 of his money to UNICEF without his knowledge, which he reversed, upset that they had made the transaction without his approval.

2013: Creation of The Rory Foundation

In 2013, Rory McIlroy created The Rory Foundation, with the goal of supporting children's charities.

2013: Runner-Up Finish and Tournament Results

In April 2013, Rory McIlroy finished runner-up at the Valero Texas Open. He tied for 25th at the 2013 Masters Tournament, tied for 41st at the 2013 U.S. Open, missed the cut at the 2013 Open Championship, and tied for 8th at the 2013 PGA Championship.

2013: Missed Cut on the PGA Tour

In January 2013, Rory McIlroy missed the cut in his first start of the PGA Tour season at the Honda Classic. It was his first missed cut on the PGA Tour since the 2013 Open Championship.

May 2014: Ended engagement

In May 2014, Rory McIlroy ended his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki, stating he wasn't ready for marriage.

2014: Last outright lead at a major

2014 was the last time before the 2025 Masters Tournament that McIlroy held a 54-hole outright lead at a major.

2014: Played in the Ryder Cup and Named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2014, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning. He was also named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year.

2014: Won the PGA and Open Championships

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won both the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, marking a successful year in his career.

2014: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship Victories

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship. He edged out Phil Mickelson by one shot to collect his fourth major championship victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined Nicklaus and Woods as the only three players to win four majors by age 25.

2014: Reference to Manchester United support

In 2014, following his Open Championship win at Royal Liverpool, Rory McIlroy made reference to his support for Manchester United F.C., Liverpool's rivals, during his acceptance speech, prompting light-hearted boos from the crowd.

2014: Pledge to Cancer Fund for Children

In 2014, through The Rory Foundation, Rory McIlroy pledged £1 million to the Cancer Fund for Children in Newcastle, County Down.

2014: Open Championship Victory

In July 2014, Rory McIlroy won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio García, claiming his first Open Championship and third major championship.

2014: Ryder Cup Performance

In September 2014, Rory McIlroy played in all five sessions of the Ryder Cup, finishing with a record of 2–1–2, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Rickie Fowler. Europe won the Ryder Cup by a score of 16.5–11.5.

December 2015: Engagement to Erica Stoll

In December 2015, Rory McIlroy became engaged to Erica Stoll while on holiday in Paris.

2015: Ankle injury playing football

In 2015, Rory McIlroy injured his ankle ligaments while playing football with friends, forcing him to withdraw from the 2015 Open Championship.

2015: Injury and Return at PGA Championship

In July 2015, Rory McIlroy ruptured his left anterior talofibular ligament while playing soccer, causing him to withdraw from the Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He returned at the 2015 PGA Championship, finishing in 17th place.

2015: WGC-Cadillac Match Play Victory and Wells Fargo Championship Win

In May 2015, Rory McIlroy won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play event, defeating Gary Woodland in the final. Later in May 2015, he won the Wells Fargo Championship for a second time with a course-record 61 and a tournament record score of 21-under 267.

2015: Last Time at World Number One

McIlroy began 2020 with four consecutive top-5 finishes on the PGA Tour, which, along with his four wins in the previous calendar year, brought him back to world number one in the OWGR for the first time since 2015.

2015: Results out of order

Prior to 2015, the results were not in chronological order.

2016: Endorsement Deal with TaylorMade

At the end of 2016, Nike announced their withdrawal from the golf equipment market and Rory McIlroy signed a $100 million endorsement deal with TaylorMade.

2016: Foundation's charitable distributions

During 2016, The Rory Foundation dispensed a total of £1.15 million to charities in Ireland and the United Kingdom, with £862,543 donated directly by McIlroy.

2016: WGC-Cadillac Championship and Masters Tournament Results

In March 2016, Rory McIlroy faltered at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. At the 2016 Masters Tournament, he finished tied-10th, citing pressure from trying to complete the Grand Slam.

2016: Irish Open Victory and Olympic Withdrawal

In May 2016, Rory McIlroy won his home Irish Open and donated the winnings to charity. He withdrew from the 2016 Summer Olympics due to the Zika virus threat. He later expressed regret and stated his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.

2016: Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship Victories

In September 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship, earning his first FedEx Cup title and a $10 million bonus. At the 2016 Ryder Cup in October, he played five matches and won three points.

2016: Tour Championship Win

McIlroy's win at the 2016 Tour Championship was his last win before his victory in March 2018 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

April 2017: Marriage to Erica Stoll

In April 2017, Rory McIlroy married Erica Stoll at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.

2017: Parting with Caddie & Hiring Harry Diamond

In 2017, McIlroy ended his long-time caddie relationship with JP Fitzgerald, who had been with him since 2008, and hired Harry Diamond, a childhood friend and former Irish amateur international golfer. Despite interest from experienced caddies, McIlroy chose Diamond after a successful trial period.

2017: Winless Year & Rib Injury

In 2017, McIlroy experienced his first winless year since 2008, hampered by a rib injury sustained at the BMW SA Open in January. Despite top-10 finishes at the Masters Tournament and Open Championship, he ended the season tied-63rd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and announced a three-month break to recover, dropping to 11th in the OWGR by year's end.

January 2018: Return to Competition & Heart Irregularity Diagnosis

In January 2018, McIlroy returned to professional competition at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after over 100 days away, disclosing a diagnosis of a slight heart irregularity but downplaying its impact on his golf.

March 2018: Arnold Palmer Invitational Win

In March 2018, McIlroy secured victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a final-round 64, marking his first win since the 2016 Tour Championship.

September 2018: Ryder Cup

In September 2018, McIlroy participated in the 2018 Ryder Cup, contributing a 2–3–0 record, including a loss to Justin Thomas in the Sunday singles. Team Europe emerged victorious, defeating Team USA 17.5–10.5 to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

December 2018: Closure of The Rory Foundation

In December 2018, The Rory Foundation shut down, with a spokeswoman stating that Rory McIlroy "is adopting a private philanthropic policy".

2018: Appearance on The Grand Tour

In 2018, Rory McIlroy appeared on an episode of the Amazon Prime show "The Grand Tour", racing against Paris Hilton in the "Celebrity Face-Off" segment.

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2018: Played in the Ryder Cup

In 2018, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning.

June 2019: RBC Canadian Open Win & Career Triple Crown

In June 2019, McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open with a final-round 61, winning the tournament by seven strokes and becoming the sixth golfer to achieve the career Triple Crown (winning the Open Championship, U.S. Open, and Canadian Open).

November 2019: WGC-HSBC Champions Win & Saudi International Rejection

In November 2019, McIlroy won the 2019 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff against Xander Schauffele in Shanghai, China. He also declined an invitation to the European Tour's Saudi International tournament in Riyadh, citing moral reasons related to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

2019: Players Championship Win

In 2019, McIlroy began the PGA Tour season strongly with five consecutive top-6 finishes, and won the 2019 Players Championship in March with a score of −16. He joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win four majors and 15 PGA Tour titles before age 30.

May 2020: Charity Skins Game Win with Dustin Johnson

In May 2020, amidst the suspension of professional tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McIlroy and Dustin Johnson won a charity skins game raising approximately £4 million for relief efforts.

September 2020: Birth of a daughter

In September 2020, Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll had a daughter.

2020: Top-5 Finish at the Masters Tournament

At the delayed 2020 Masters Tournament, which was delayed until November, McIlroy recorded a top-5 finish, adding to his career milestones.

2020: Intention to Compete at the Olympic Games

In 2016, Rory McIlroy outlined his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games, reversing his earlier decision to withdraw from the 2016 Olympics due to Zika virus concerns.

2020: Results out of order

The results in 2020 were not in chronological order.

January 2021: Third Place Finish at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

In January 2021, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but finished third, five shots behind the winner Tyrrell Hatton, after a final round 72.

May 2021: Wells Fargo Championship Win

In May 2021, McIlroy secured victory at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club by one stroke, marking his third win at that venue and his 19th PGA Tour victory.

August 2021: Olympic Games Representation & Playoff Loss

In August 2021, McIlroy represented Ireland at the Olympic Games, tying for third after 72 holes but ultimately losing in a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal.

October 2021: CJ Cup Win & Life Membership

In October 2021, McIlroy won the CJ Cup, finishing one stroke ahead of Collin Morikawa with weekend rounds of 62-66. This victory marked his 20th on the PGA Tour, granting him life membership.

2022: Runner-Up at Masters & Top-10 Finish at PGA Championship

In 2022, McIlroy experienced highs and lows. He contended for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, narrowly missing a playoff. At the Masters Tournament in April, McIlroy shot a bogey-free 64 in the final round to finish as runner-up, a new-best finish. He then held the first-round lead at the PGA Championship, ultimately finishing 8th.

2022: First Person to Win FedEx Cup Three Times

In 2022, Rory McIlroy became the first person to win the FedEx Cup three times.

2022: RBC Canadian Open Win & Top-10 Finishes in Majors

In June 2022, McIlroy successfully defended his title at the RBC Canadian Open. In July, at the 2022 Open Championship, he finished third, securing top-10 finishes in all four majors for the first time in his career.

2022: Discontinuation of Championship and Invitational

The Championship and Invitational were discontinued from 2022.

2023: U.S. Open Runner-Up & Genesis Scottish Open Win

At the 2023 U.S. Open in June, McIlroy finished solo-second, one shot behind Wyndham Clark. In July, McIlroy won the Genesis Scottish Open, one stroke ahead of Robert MacIntyre. The following week, at the 2023 Open Championship, he finished tied-sixth.

2023: Featured in Full Swing

In 2023, Rory McIlroy featured in the sports documentary series "Full Swing", which premiered on Netflix.

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2023: Played in the Ryder Cup

In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning.

2023: Support for Buffalo Bills

In 2023, Rory McIlroy stated that he is a fan of the Buffalo Bills because his wife Erica is originally from Irondequoit, New York, noting his appreciation for Josh Allen.

2023: Donation to Cancer Fund for Children lodge

In 2023, it was announced that Rory McIlroy had paid €1 million towards the construction of a Cancer Fund for Children lodge in Cong, County Mayo.

2023: Ryder Cup & Race to Dubai

In September 2023, McIlroy played on the European team in the Ryder Cup, winning the event. In November, McIlroy won his fifth Race to Dubai title.

2023: Hero Dubai Desert Classic Win

McIlroy started 2023 by winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, birdying the final two holes to beat Patrick Reed by one shot. He missed the cut at the 2023 Masters Tournament in April and finished tied-7th at the 2023 PGA Championship in May.

2023: Discontinuation of Champions

The Champions was discontinued from 2023.

May 2024: Filed for Divorce

In May 2024, Rory McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica Stoll in Palm Beach County, Florida.

June 2024: Divorce Filing Withdrawn

By 11 June 2024, Rory McIlroy withdrew the divorce filing from Erica Stoll, stating they have resolved their differences.

2024: Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship wins

After a tepid start to the season on the PGA Tour, including a T22 finish at the 2024 Masters Tournament, McIlroy won his first title of the season in April at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event where he competed alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. In his next start, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time in his career.

2024: US Open miss and Open Championship cut

During the 2024 U.S. Open, McIlroy entered the final round in second-place, three strokes behind the lead. He erased the deficit and had a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau with four holes to play, but bogeyed three of the final four holes, including missed putts from inside four feet on both the 16th and 18th holes, to finish one stroke behind DeChambeau. At the 2024 Open Championship, McIlroy shot 78-75 and missed the cut, extending his major championship drought to ten years.

2025: Post-Masters Slump & Motivational Challenges

Following his Masters victory in April 2025, McIlroy experienced a slump. He tied for 47th at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open. McIlroy finished tied-19th at the U.S. Open. McIlroy expressed a loss of motivation, stating he had "climbed my Everest" and needed to find a new mountain to climb.

2025: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Win & Second Players Championship Title

In 2025, McIlroy secured victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in January and the Players Championship in March, with the latter marking his second title at that event. His career earnings on the PGA Tour surpassed $100 million, joining Tiger Woods as the second man to reach this milestone. McIlroy also tied for fifth at the Texas Children's Houston Open in March, earning $337,844.

2025: Cameo in Happy Gilmore 2

In 2025, Rory McIlroy made a cameo appearance in the film "Happy Gilmore 2", a sequel to "Happy Gilmore" (1996).

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2025: Played in the Ryder Cup, Named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year, and Won BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

In 2025, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning. For his achievements, he was also named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

2025: Won Masters Tournament to Complete Career Grand Slam

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament, completing the career grand slam after a ten-year drought in the majors.

2025: Masters Win

In April 2025, at the Masters Tournament, McIlroy secured his first Masters title after leading by two strokes after 54 holes, completing the career grand slam, joining a select group of golfers to have won each of the four major championships in the modern era. Justin Rose forced the tournament to go into a playoff.

2025: Second Irish Open Win & Seventh Race to Dubai Title

In July 2025, McIlroy finished runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open. He won his national open in September. He secured his seventh Race to Dubai title in November, surpassing Seve Ballesteros's tally and moving closer to Colin Montgomerie's record. Europe won the Ryder Cup, marking their first away victory since 2012.