Career Timeline of Rory McIlroy: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Rory McIlroy, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer renowned for his achievements on both the European and PGA Tours. A former world number one for over 100 weeks, he has secured five major championships. Notably, he is one of only six golfers to achieve the modern career Grand Slam, and the first European to reach this milestone.

Sections (6)

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

1997: Watching Tiger Woods' Masters Victory

In 1997, as a child, Rory McIlroy intently watched every hole of Tiger Woods' victory at the Masters Tournament, inspiring his own aspirations.

1998: BBC Interview and Ambition to Win Majors

In 1998, Rory McIlroy stated in an interview with BBC Sport that his ambition was to win all four major championship titles.

1998: Tiger Woods Named for PGA Tour Video Game

Tiger Woods had been the namesake for the PGA tour series of video games from 1998 to 2013 before Rory McIlroy took over in 2015.

2002: Ulster Boys' U15 Championship Win

In 2002, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U15 Championship.

2003: Ulster Boys' U18 Championship Win

In 2003, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U18 Championship.

2004: 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 also played on the European team which won the Junior Ryder Cup against the United States.

May 2005: European Tour Debut

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

2005: West of Ireland and Irish Close Championship Wins

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

2005: Leaving School to Focus on Golf

In 2005, Rory McIlroy decided to leave school to concentrate on his golf career.

2005: Rory McIlroy's PGA Tour Victories

In September 2012, Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship. With these wins, he became the first European to win four PGA Tour events in a single season since 2005, when Tiger Woods achieved the same.

August 2006: European Amateur Win

In August 2006, Rory McIlroy won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club, near Milan, Italy.

February 2007: Making First Cut in a Professional Tournament

In February 2007, Rory McIlroy made his first cut in a professional tournament as a 17-year-old at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic.

September 2007: Turning 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: McIlroy Becomes Ambassador for Jumeirah

In 2007, Rory McIlroy became an ambassador for the hotel chain Jumeirah, a role he held until 2012.

2007: European Amateur Team Championship Victory

In 2007, Rory McIlroy competed for Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championship, where Ireland defeated France in the final to claim victory.

2007: Major Championship Debut and Walker Cup Appearance

In 2007, Rory McIlroy made his major championship debut at The Open Championship and finished as the low amateur. Also in 2007, he participated in the Walker Cup.

2007: Reaching Number One in World Amateur Golf Ranking and Turning Professional

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

2007: McIlroy Signs with International Sports Management

In 2007, upon turning professional, Rory McIlroy signed with International Sports Management (ISM), founded by Chubby Chandler.

January 2008: Entering 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: Omega European Masters Play-off Loss

On September 7, 2008, Rory McIlroy lost in a play-off at the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, after leading the final round.

November 2008: Moving 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: Last Winless Year

2008 was the last winless year for Rory McIlroy before 2017.

2008: McIlroy Begins Working with Putting Coach Paul Hurrion

In 2008, Rory McIlroy began working with specialist putting coach Paul Hurrion, who identified that McIlroy was overly reliant on hand-eye coordination when putting.

2008: Earning European Tour Card

In 2008, Rory McIlroy secured his European Tour card and became the youngest affiliate member in the history of the European Tour to earn a tour card.

2008: JP Fitzgerald becomes Rory McIlroy's caddie.

JP Fitzgerald had been Rory McIlroy's caddie since 2008.

February 2009: First Professional Win

On February 1, 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first professional win at the Dubai Desert Classic, which elevated him to 16th in the OWGR.

2009: First European Tour Win

In 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the European Tour, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

2009: Continued Success and PGA Tour Announcement

In 2009, Rory McIlroy finished fifth at the BMW PGA Championship and 12th at the European Open. He played well in majors and finished the season ranked second on the Race to Dubai. In 2009, he announced that he would join the American-based PGA Tour for the 2010 season.

2009: Invitation to Masters Tournament

In 2009, Rory McIlroy's year-end ranking earned him an invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament.

2009: McIlroy Introduced to "Putting Out of Your Mind"

In late 2009, Rory McIlroy was introduced to Bob Rotella's book "Putting Out of Your Mind", which likely influenced his approach to putting.

2010: Chandler Advised McIlroy to Give Up PGA Tour Card

In 2010, Chubby Chandler advised Rory McIlroy to give up his PGA Tour card and prioritize the European Tour, which McIlroy later disagreed with.

2010: First PGA Tour Win

In 2010, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the PGA Tour, further solidifying his presence in the world of professional golf.

2010: Ryder Cup Selection and Decision to Return to European Tour

In 2010, Rory McIlroy represented Europe at the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe regaining the cup. In November of 2010, he announced his return to the European Tour full-time, while still playing a limited schedule on the PGA Tour.

2010: Strong Finishes at Open and PGA Championships

In 2010, Rory McIlroy tied the course record at the Open Championship with a 9-under-par 63 on the opening day and finished tied for third. In 2010, he also finished in third place at the PGA Championship.

2011: McIlroy Hires Security After U.S. Open Win

After winning the 2011 U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy hired security guards for his property due to increased attention and strangers driving up his driveway.

2011: McIlroy Becomes UNICEF Ireland Ambassador

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

2011: Skipping the Players Championship

In 2011, Rory McIlroy did not play at The Players Championship.

2011: McIlroy Leaves ISM

In 2011, Rory McIlroy left ISM, stating he felt he was being "led down the wrong path" by Chubby Chandler.

2011: McIlroy Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Santander Bank

In 2011, Rory McIlroy signed a multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement with Santander Bank.

2011: First Major Championship Win

In 2011, Rory McIlroy won his first major championship at the U.S. Open, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2011: Runner-up at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, 1st round lead at the Masters, and final round struggles at the Masters

In January 2011, Rory McIlroy finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. In April 2011, he led the Masters Tournament after the first round, becoming the youngest player to do so. However, he struggled in the final round, shooting an 8-over-par 80 and finishing in a tie for 15th.

2011: Tied-25th at Open Championship, wrist injury at PGA Championship, wins Shanghai Masters and Hong Kong Open

In July 2011, Rory McIlroy finished tied-25th at the Open Championship due to tough weather conditions. He also injured his wrist at the PGA Championship. In October 2011, he won the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, and in December 2011, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open.

2011: U.S. Open victory

In June 2011, at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy took the first-round lead and set records for the lowest 36-hole and 54-hole totals. He finished with a record 268 (−16) to win his first major championship, becoming the youngest winner since 1923 and rising to a career-high fourth in the OWGR.

2012: McIlroy Credits Dave Stockton for Putting Improvements

After winning the 2012 PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy credited Dave Stockton for improvements in his putting skills.

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.

2012: Ryder Cup Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where Europe won the tournament.

2012: PGA Championship Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship, adding another major title to his list of accomplishments.

2012: McIlroy's Ambassador Role with Jumeirah Ends

In 2012, Rory McIlroy's role as an ambassador for hotel chain Jumeirah ended.

2012: Masters Tournament struggles and Wells Fargo Championship playoff loss

In April 2012, Rory McIlroy struggled at the Masters Tournament, finishing in a tie for 40th. In May 2012, he lost in a playoff at the Wells Fargo Championship to Rickie Fowler.

2012: Runner-up finishes and Honda Classic win

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, becoming the number one player in the world.

2012: Ryder Cup and DP World Tour Championship wins

In September 2012, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's comeback win despite a mix-up with his tee time. In November 2012, he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

March 2013: McIlroy Agrees to Contract Extension with Horizon

In March 2013, Rory McIlroy agreed to a contract extension with Horizon Sports Management, set to run until 2017.

October 2013: McIlroy Describes Horizon Contract as "Unconscionable"

In October 2013, Rory McIlroy described his contract with Horizon as "unconscionable" and claimed he had been coaxed into signing it.

2013: McIlroy Creates Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd.

After splitting from Horizon, in 2013 Rory McIlroy created a new management company, Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd., to manage his endorsement royalty payments.

2013: McIlroy Discusses Olympic Representation

In 2013, Rory McIlroy discussed the complexities of choosing between representing Great Britain or Ireland at the Olympics, stating that if there was a Northern Irish team, he would play for them, and if not, he might not play at all to avoid upsetting people.

2013: Creation of The Rory Foundation

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

2013: Missed cut at 2013 Open Championship

In 2013, Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the Open Championship, ending a streak of 22 consecutive events on the PGA Tour where he made the cut.

2013: McIlroy Signs Endorsement Deal with Nike

In 2013, Rory McIlroy signed a 10-year endorsement deal with Nike worth up to $250 million, agreeing to be a brand ambassador for their golf clubs, balls, and apparel. He also signed endorsement deals with Bose and Omega in that year.

2013: Equipment change struggles and mixed results in majors

In 2013, Rory McIlroy struggled with an equipment change, missing cuts and withdrawing from tournaments. He had mixed results in the major championships, with a best finish of tied for 8th at the PGA Championship.

2013: Emirates Australian Open win

In December 2013, Rory McIlroy won the Emirates Australian Open, marking his first win of the year.

2014: McIlroy References Manchester United Support After Open Win

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

2014: PGA and Open Championship Wins

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

2014: Ryder Cup and RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won the Ryder Cup with Europe. Also in 2014, he was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for a second time.

2014: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship wins

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship, becoming one of three players to win four majors by age 25.

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: McIlroy held a two-stroke lead at PGA Championship

In April, at the 2025 Masters Tournament, McIlroy held a two-stroke lead after 54 holes, which was his first 54-hole outright lead at a major since the 2014 PGA Championship.

2014: Open Championship victory

In July 2014, Rory McIlroy won the Open Championship, his first Open Championship and third major championship.

2014: Honda Classic Playoff Loss and BMW PGA Championship Win

In March 2014, Rory McIlroy lost in a playoff at the Honda Classic. In May 2014, he won the BMW PGA Championship, his first win in 18 months.

2014: Ryder Cup participation

In September 2014, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's victory.

2014: McIlroy Declares He Will Represent Ireland at the Olympics

On the eve of the 2014 Irish Open, Rory McIlroy declared that he would represent Ireland at the Olympics.

2015: McIlroy Settles Legal Battle with Horizon

In 2015, Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management ended their bitter legal battle with an out-of-court settlement, reportedly with McIlroy paying the firm in excess of $25 million plus costs.

2015: McIlroy Becomes Namesake for EA Sports' Video Game

In 2015, Rory McIlroy became the namesake for the EA Sports' video game "Rory McIlroy PGA Tour", replacing Tiger Woods.

2015: Masters finish, WGC-Cadillac Match Play win, and Wells Fargo Championship victory

In 2015, Rory McIlroy finished fourth at the Masters Tournament. He also won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play event and the Wells Fargo Championship, setting a course record at Quail Hollow Club.

2015: McIlroy Injures Ankle Playing Football, Withdraws from Open Championship

In 2015, Rory McIlroy injured his ankle ligaments while playing football with friends, forcing him to withdraw from the 2015 Open Championship, but later stated he would not give up playing football.

2015: Injury and withdrawal from tournaments

In July 2015, Rory McIlroy ruptured his left anterior talofibular ligament, leading to his withdrawal from the Open Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He returned at the PGA Championship, finishing 17th.

2016: Nike's withdrawal and endorsement deal with TaylorMade

At the end of 2016, Nike withdrew from the golf equipment market, leading Rory McIlroy to sign a $100 million endorsement deal with TaylorMade.

2016: Foundation Dispenses Funds to Charities

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 Rory McIlroy.

2016: Golf Returns to the Olympics

In 2016, golf was named an Olympic sport for the first time since 1904 at the Summer Olympics, leading to questions about whether Rory McIlroy would represent Great Britain or Ireland.

2016: WGC-Cadillac Championship falter and Masters disappointment

In March 2016, Rory McIlroy faltered in the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship. At the 2016 Masters Tournament, he finished tied-10th, attributing his struggles to the pressure of completing the Grand Slam.

2016: Irish Open victory and Olympic withdrawal

In May 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Irish Open and donated his winnings to charity. He withdrew from the 2016 Summer Olympics due to the Zika virus threat but expressed interest in competing in the 2020 Olympics.

2016: Deutsche Bank Championship, Tour Championship, and Ryder Cup

In September and October 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship, earning the FedEx Cup title. At the 2016 Ryder Cup, he contributed three points but lost his singles match, as the United States defeated Europe.

2017: McIlroy Reveals Degenerative Disc Issue

In 2017, Rory McIlroy disclosed that he had a degenerative disc in his lumbar vertebrae, attributing it to the millions of golf swings he had taken since the age of two. He also credited coach McGregor for helping him take better care of his body.

2017: McIlroy Ranks Sixth in Forbes' List of Highest-Paid Athletes

In 2017, Rory McIlroy ranked sixth in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, earning $50 million, with $34 million coming from endorsements.

2017: McIlroy Signs Contract Extension with Nike and Equipment Deal with TaylorMade

In 2017, Rory McIlroy signed a 10-year, $200-million contract extension with Nike for apparel only, and a 10-year, $100-million equipment deal with TaylorMade to use their clubs, ball, and bag.

2017: Caddie change

Late in the 2017 season, Rory McIlroy parted ways with his caddie JP Fitzgerald and hired Harry Diamond.

2017: Original End Date of Horizon Contract

March 2013 marked the date when Rory McIlroy agreed to a contract extension with Horizon Sports Management that was set to run until 2017.

2017: Winless season and injury struggles

Rory McIlroy did not win during 2017, his first winless year since 2008. A rib injury hampered his season, and he dropped to 11th in the OWGR.

2018: McIlroy Enlists Brad Faxon as Putting Coach

In 2018, Rory McIlroy began working with Brad Faxon, a former PGA Tour player known for his putting skills, as his putting coach.

2018: Ryder Cup Win

In 2018, Rory McIlroy represented Europe at the Ryder Cup, and Europe won the competition.

2019: McIlroy Founds Symphony Ventures

In 2019, Rory McIlroy founded Symphony Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on healthcare, sports, and technology.

2019: Winning The Players Championship

In 2019, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, a significant victory in his career.

2020: Intention to compete at the Olympic Games

Following his withdrawal from the 2016 Olympics, Rory McIlroy outlined his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.

2020: McIlroy Invests in Whoop

In 2020, Rory McIlroy was among the investors in a $100-million Series E financing round for Whoop, a wearable fitness tracker company, after he began wearing a Whoop band in 2019.

2022: Winning the FedEx Cup Three Times

In 2022, Rory McIlroy became the first person to win the FedEx Cup three times, surpassing Tiger Woods' two wins.

2022: McIlroy Founds TMRW Sports with Tiger Woods

In 2022, Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports alongside Tiger Woods and Mike McCarley, launching the indoor golf league TGL.

2022: McIlroy Becomes Vocal Opponent of LIV Golf

In 2022, with the emergence of LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy became a vocal opponent of the Saudi-funded league, criticizing it for "ripping apart" professional golf and taking on the role as the face of the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf.

January 2023: McIlroy Refuses to Speak to Patrick Reed After Subpoena Incident

In January 2023, prior to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy refused to speak to LIV golfer Patrick Reed, revealing that Reed had served him a subpoena on Christmas Eve as part of an anti-trust lawsuit.

June 2023: McIlroy Feels Like a "Sacrificial Lamb" After PGA Tour-LIV Golf Agreement

In June 2023, after the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement for a potential merger with LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy expressed feeling like a "sacrificial lamb" due to his unwavering support of the PGA Tour, reaffirming his commitment by stating he would retire if LIV Golf were the only option.

2023: McIlroy Joins Investment Group of Alpine Racing Team

In 2023, Rory McIlroy joined the investment group of the Alpine racing team of Formula One.

2023: Donation to Cancer Fund for Children Lodge

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

2023: Ryder Cup Win

In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where Europe secured a victory.

2024: McIlroy Invests in TickPick

In 2024, Rory McIlroy invested in the ticket marketplace TickPick.

2024: McIlroy Softens Stance Against LIV Golf

In 2024, Rory McIlroy softened his stance against LIV Golf, admitting he had been "a little judgemental" towards golfers who joined the league and accepting its place in the sport.

2025: McIlroy's Ball Speed Reaches Over 190 mph

As of 2025, Rory McIlroy is capable of producing a ball speed of over 190 miles per hour (310 km/h).

2025: McIlroy Partners with TPG to Form TPG Sports

In 2025, Rory McIlroy partnered with private equity firm TPG to form TPG Sports, an investment fund targeting the sports sector.

2025: Victory at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and second Players Championship Title

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and later secured his second Players Championship title after a playoff.

2025: Winning the Masters Tournament and Completing the Career Grand Slam

In 2025, after a 10-year drought in the majors, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament, completing the career grand slam.

2025: McIlroy wins the 2025 Masters Tournament

In April 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament after a playoff with Justin Rose, completing the career grand slam and becoming the sixth player to achieve this feat in the modern era.