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 highly accomplished Northern Irish professional golfer. A former world number one, he spent over 100 weeks in that position. McIlroy has secured four major championships: the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, the 2014 Open Championship, and the 2014 PGA Championship. He is one of only three golfers, alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to have won four majors by the age of 25, solidifying his place among golf's elite.

Sections (6)

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

1923: Youngest Winner Since Bobby Jones

In 2011, with his U.S. Open victory, Rory McIlroy became the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923.

2004: Member of Irish Team at European Boys' Team Championship and Junior Ryder Cup Team

In 2004, at the age of 15, Rory McIlroy was a member of the Irish team at the European Boys' Team Championship and of Europe's winning 2004 Junior Ryder Cup team against United States on foreign soil in Ohio.

July 2005: Competitive Course Record at Royal Portrush Golf Club

In July 2005, at age 16, Rory McIlroy shot a new competitive course record score of 61 on the Dunluce links of Royal Portrush Golf Club.

2005: Youngest Winner of 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: Part of Team Ireland at European Amateur Team Championship

In 2005, at 16 years old, Rory McIlroy was part of the combined Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland team at the European Amateur Team Championship, though the team did not make it to the quarter-finals.

2005: First European Tour Event

Shortly after turning 16, Rory McIlroy made his first appearance in a European Tour event at the 2005 British Masters.

August 2006: European Amateur Win

In August 2006, Rory McIlroy won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club, near Milan, Italy, with a score of 274.

October 2006: Represented Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy

In October 2006, Rory McIlroy represented Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy, which is the Amateur World Team Championship.

2006: Retained West of Ireland Championship and Wins at Irish Close Championship

In 2006, Rory Mcllroy retained the West of Ireland Championship and followed that up with back-to-back wins at the Irish Close Championship.

February 2007: Topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking

On February 6, 2007, Rory McIlroy became the second man to top the World Amateur Golf Ranking, though he lost the top spot after just one week.

September 2007: Turned Professional

On September 18, 2007, Rory McIlroy turned professional, signing with International Sports Management, the day before the Quinn Direct British Masters.

2007: McIlroy Becomes Ambassador for Jumeirah Group

In 2007, Rory McIlroy became an ambassador for the Jumeirah Group.

2007: Walker Cup Participation

In 2007, Rory McIlroy participated in the Walker Cup as part of the Great Britain & Ireland team, held at the Royal County Down Golf Club. His overall record was (1–2–1) in Win–loss–tie format. The United States won 12½ to 11½.

2007: The Open Championship Entry and Silver Medal

In 2007, Rory McIlroy shot a bogey-free opening round of 3-under-par 68 at The Open Championship at Carnoustie, his first major championship entry, finishing +5 overall and winning the silver medal as the highest finishing amateur.

2007: Turned Professional

In 2007, Rory McIlroy, after achieving the number one spot on the World Amateur Golf Ranking as a 17-year-old, transitioned into a professional golfer.

2007: First Cut on European Tour at Dubai Desert Classic

In 2007, at 17 years old, Rory McIlroy made the cut on the European Tour for the first time at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he had to forego prize money due to his amateur status.

January 2008: Entered Top 200 of World Golf Ranking

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

September 2008: Lost in Play-off at Omega European Masters

On September 7, 2008, Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for first place with Jean-François Lucquin at the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, but lost in a play-off.

November 2008: Finished European Tour Season

In November 2008, Rory McIlroy finished the European Tour season with six top-10 placements and ranked 79th in the World Golf Ranking.

November 2008: Highest World Ranking Position

In November 2008, after finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open, Rory McIlroy attained his highest world ranking position of 50.

2008: Secured Card for 2008 Season

Rory McIlroy secured his card for the 2008 season by finishing in a tie for 4th place at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano.

February 2009: First Professional Win at Dubai Desert Classic

On February 1, 2009, Rory McIlroy secured his first professional win at the Dubai Desert Classic at age 19, elevating him to 16th in the world rankings.

April 2009: First Masters Tournament Appearance

In April 2009, Rory McIlroy made his first Masters Tournament appearance as a professional, finishing tied for 20th place.

November 2009: Entered Top 10 of World Rankings

In November 2009, Rory McIlroy entered the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time, finishing the year ranked 9th.

2009: First European Tour Win

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

2009: WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Quarterfinals

In 2009, Rory McIlroy reached the quarterfinals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, defeating Louis Oosthuizen, Hunter Mahan, and Tim Clark before losing to Geoff Ogilvy.

2009: Top-10 Finish at U.S. Open

In 2009, Rory McIlroy's final round of 68 helped him finish in a tie for 10th at the U.S. Open, marking his first top-10 finish in a major.

July 2010: Lowest-Ever First Round Score at the Open Championship

On July 15, 2010, Rory McIlroy began the Open Championship by shooting a 9-under-par 63, the lowest-ever first round score in the history of the Open Championship, tying the course record. He finished tied for third, sending him to a career high world ranking of seventh.

October 2010: Helped Europe Regain the Ryder Cup

On October 4, 2010, Rory McIlroy won a crucial half-point to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup. At the 2010 PGA Championship, McIlroy narrowly missed a playoff spot and finished tied for third.

2010: Finished 3rd at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

In 2010, Rory McIlroy finished 3rd at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. Also, as defending champion at the 2010 Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy shot a final round of 73 to finish in a tie for fifth place.

2010: Ryder Cup Win

In 2010, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the European team emerged victorious.

2010: WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and Time Off

In 2010, at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Rory McIlroy beat Kevin Na but lost to Oliver Wilson. After the championship, McIlroy took time off from golf due to a sore back and returned in the 2010 Honda Classic, finishing in a tie for 40th.

2010: Regretted Decision to Give Up PGA Tour Card

Rory McIlroy later stated that he regretted his 2010 decision to give up his PGA Tour card and skipping the 2010 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy's manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour was cited by McIlroy as one of the main reasons for their later professional split.

June 2011: McIlroy Visits Haiti with UNICEF

In June 2011, Rory McIlroy, as an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland, made his first visit to Haiti with UNICEF.

June 2011: U.S. Open Victory

On June 19, 2011, Rory McIlroy secured his first major championship at the U.S. Open at Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland, with an 8-stroke victory over Jason Day. His 72-hole aggregate score of 268 (16-under) was a new U.S. Open record.

2011: McIlroy Leaves ISM

In 2011, Rory McIlroy ended his relationship with International Sports Management (ISM) and subsequently joined Horizon Sports Management based in Dublin.

2011: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

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

2011: McIlroy wins RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2011, Rory McIlroy won the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year.

2011: U.S. Open Victory

In 2011, Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open, marking one of his four major championship victories.

2011: Youngest to Reach €10 Million on European Tour

In 2011, at the age of 22, Rory McIlroy became the youngest player to reach €10 million in career earnings on the European Tour.

2012: Michael Bannon Becomes Full-Time Coach

In 2012, Michael Bannon, who had worked with Rory McIlroy since his childhood, began working with him full-time.

2012: McIlroy's Accolades in 2012

In 2012, Rory McIlroy achieved significant recognition by leading the PGA Tour money list and winning the PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award. He also won the Race to Dubai, was voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year, won the Mark H. McCormack Award, and received a Laureus World Sports Award.

2012: Youngest to Reach $10 Million on PGA Tour

In 2012, Rory McIlroy became the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.

2012: Ryder Cup Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the European team emerged victorious.

2012: PGA Championship Victory

In 2012, Rory McIlroy secured a win at the PGA Championship, adding to his list of major championship titles.

2012: McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year award

In 2012, Rory McIlroy was awarded the PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

2012: McIlroy wins BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.

2012: McIlroy Ends Ambassadorship with Jumeirah Group

In 2012, Rory McIlroy's ambassadorship with the Jumeirah Group came to an end.

2012: McIlroy Appointed MBE

In the 2012 New Year Honours, Rory McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to sport.

January 2013: McIlroy Signs Endorsement Deal with Nike

In January 2013, Rory McIlroy signed a significant endorsement deal with Nike, speculated to be around $100 million.

2013: McIlroy creates Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd

In 2013, Rory McIlroy established Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd, headed by Donal Casey, to manage royalty payments from his endorsements.

2014: McIlroy Wins Open Championship at Royal Liverpool

Following his win at the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Rory McIlroy, a Manchester United F.C. fan, made a joke that resulted in playful boos from the rival Liverpool fans before thanking them for their support.

2014: McIlroy Sweeps PGA Tour Awards Again

In 2014, Rory McIlroy once again dominated the PGA Tour awards, securing the Arnold Palmer Award, PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award. He also won the Race to Dubai, was voted European Tour Golfer of the Year, and won the Mark H. McCormack Award. Additionally, he received the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.

2014: Ryder Cup Win

In 2014, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the European team emerged victorious.

2014: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2014, Rory McIlroy was again named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year, recognizing his continued success in golf.

2014: McIlroy announced as official ambassador for PGA Junior League Golf

In 2014, Rory McIlroy was also announced as an official ambassador for PGA Junior League Golf.

2014: McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year award

In 2014, Rory McIlroy was awarded the PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

2014: Open Championship and PGA Championship Wins

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won both The Open Championship and the PGA Championship, achieving two major victories in the same year.

2015: McIlroy reaches settlement with Horizon Sports Management

In 2015, Rory McIlroy reached an out-of-court settlement with Horizon Sports Management in Dublin regarding outstanding contractual fees. He reportedly agreed to pay between £13-£20 million to end the litigation.

2015: McIlroy Wins European Tour Golfer of the Year

In 2015, Rory McIlroy won European Tour Golfer of the Year for the third time.

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

In 2017, Rory McIlroy signed a 10-year contract extension with Nike for apparel and a 10-year equipment deal with TaylorMade for clubs, ball, and bag.

2017: Settlement fees payable to Horizon Sports Management

In 2017, a settlement was reached regarding contractual fees claimed for a period up to 2017, under contracts signed when McIlroy was 22. Rory McIlroy has reportedly agreed to pay between £13-£20 million to his former management company, Horizon, to end the litigation claims between all parties.

2017: Forbes lists McIlroy as sixth highest-paid athlete

In 2017, according to Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, Rory McIlroy was the joint sixth highest-paid sportsperson, earning US$50 million, with $34 million coming from endorsements.

2018: Brad Faxon Becomes Putting Coach

In 2018, Brad Faxon, a former PGA Tour player known for his putting skills, became Rory McIlroy's putting coach.

2018: Ryder Cup Win

In 2018, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the European team emerged victorious.

November 2019: McIlroy Wins WGC-HSBC Champions

In November 2019, Rory McIlroy secured victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament held outside Shanghai, China, after a playoff against Xander Schauffele. This event was part of both the 2019 European Tour and the 2019–20 PGA Tour.

2019: McIlroy Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year

In 2019, Rory McIlroy was awarded the PGA Tour Player of the Year for the third time and also secured the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for a third time.

2019: The Players Championship Win

In 2019, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, adding another significant title to his career achievements.

May 2020: McIlroy Wins Charity Skins Game

In May 2020, Rory McIlroy, partnered with Dustin Johnson, won a charity skins game, which marked the return of golf to television after nine weeks. The duo won £1.53 million for coronavirus relief funds.

2021: McIlroy Plays in 2021 Ryder Cup

In 2021, Rory McIlroy represented the European team at the Ryder Cup held at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. Despite McIlroy's individual performance of 1–3–0, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele, the US team emerged victorious with a score of 19–9.

2022: Graeme McDowell moves to LIV Golf league

In 2022, Graeme McDowell, who frequently practiced with McIlroy, moved to the LIV Golf league.

2022: Third FedEx Cup Win

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

2022: McIlroy Wins Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award

In 2022, Rory McIlroy secured the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for the fourth time, marking another significant achievement in his career.

September 2023: McIlroy Plays in 2023 Ryder Cup

In September 2023, Rory McIlroy participated in the 2023 Ryder Cup as part of the European team, held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Rome, Italy. McIlroy went 4-1-0, winning his Sunday singles match against Sam Burns, and the European team won overall with a score of 16.5–11.5.

2023: McIlroy Joins Alpine Racing Team Investment Group

In 2023, Rory McIlroy became part of the investment group for the Alpine racing team in Formula One.

2023: Ryder Cup Win

In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the European team emerged victorious.

2024: McIlroy's 2024 Season

In 2024, Rory McIlroy began his season at the Dubai Invitational, bogeyed the final hole and finished second. He then won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. On the PGA tour he won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry and the Wells Fargo Championship. At the U.S. Open, he bogeyed three of the final four holes and finished one stroke behind Bryson DeChambeau. He missed the cut at The Open Championship.

2025: McIlroy Wins AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

In 2025, Rory McIlroy secured a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which was his first PGA Tour event of the year. He finished with a score of -21, surpassing Shane Lowry by two strokes to claim the title.

2025: The Players Championship Win

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, adding another significant title to his career achievements.

2025: McIlroy Wins Players Championship

In 2025, at the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy tied for first place with J. J. Spaun after shooting a final-round 68. McIlroy then won the playoff with an aggregate score of +1, securing his second Players Championship title.