Challenges in the Life of Rory McIlroy in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Rory McIlroy faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Rory McIlroy is a highly accomplished Northern Irish professional golfer, renowned for his performances on both the European and PGA Tours. He achieved the world number one ranking and held it for over 100 weeks. McIlroy is a five-time major champion and one of only six golfers to accomplish a modern career Grand Slam. Notably, he is the first European to ever achieve this prestigious feat.

Sections (6)

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

September 2008: Omega European Masters Play-off Loss

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

2008: First Winless Year

In 2008, McIlroy did not secure any wins, marking it as the first winless year in his professional career up to that point. In 2017, he matched that statistic, making it his first winless year since 2008.

2010: Began working with exercise physiologist Stephen McGregor

In 2010, Rory McIlroy began working with exercise physiologist Stephen McGregor to address imbalances in his body and rebuild his swing to reduce strain on his back.

2011: 2011 Masters Tournament

In April 2011, Rory McIlroy led the Masters Tournament after the first round with a bogey-free 65, becoming the youngest player to hold the first-round lead at the Masters at the time. Despite leading by four strokes after 54 holes, he shot an 8-over-par 80 in the final round, finishing in a tie for 15th, 10 strokes behind the winner, Charl Schwartzel.

2011: 2011 Season Performances and Victories

In July 2011, Rory McIlroy struggled at the Open Championship, finishing tied for 25th. He also injured his wrist at the PGA Championship. However, in October 2011, McIlroy won the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, earning $2 million, and in December, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open.

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. He cited his manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour as a key reason for their later professional split.

2012: 2012 Masters and Wells Fargo Championship

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, ultimately losing in a playoff to Rickie Fowler.

October 2013: Filed suit against Horizon

In October 2013, Rory McIlroy filed suit against Horizon, claiming they prioritized their own financial interests to his detriment, describing the contract as "unconscionable".

2013: Equipment Change Struggles and Tournament Results

In 2013, Rory McIlroy struggled with an equipment change after signing an endorsement deal with Nike in January. He missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and withdrew from the Honda Classic. He finished runner-up at the Valero Texas Open and tied for 25th at the Masters Tournament. He tied for 41st at the U.S. Open, missed the cut at the Open Championship, and tied for 8th at the PGA Championship.

2013: Downturn in Form and Australian Open Victory

In 2013, as a result of his downturn in form, Rory McIlroy dropped from first to sixth in the OWGR. He recorded his first win of the year in December, at the Emirates Australian Open, beating Adam Scott by one stroke.

2013: Missed Cut at the 2013 Open Championship

Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the 2013 Open Championship, ending a streak of 22 consecutive events on the PGA Tour. He achieved this feat in January 2015.

2015: Injured ankle ligaments playing football

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

2015: Out-of-court settlement with Horizon

In 2015, Rory McIlroy reached an out-of-court settlement with Horizon, paying the firm in excess of $25 million plus costs to settle the dispute.

2015: Injury and Return to Competition

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

2016: 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship and Masters Tournament

In 2016, Rory McIlroy faltered at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, finishing two shots behind Adam Scott. At the Masters Tournament, he shot a five-over 77 in the third round and ultimately finished tied-10th, citing the pressure of completing the Grand Slam as a factor.

2017: Winless Year and Rib Injury

In 2017, McIlroy had his first winless year since 2008. A rib injury, initially sustained at the BMW SA Open in January, hampered him throughout the season. Despite top-10 finishes at the Masters Tournament and Open Championship, he finished tied-63rd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October and dropped to 11th in the OWGR by year's end, after starting at 2nd.

2017: Revealed Degenerative Disc

In 2017, Rory McIlroy revealed that he had a degenerative disc in his lumbar vertebrae due to swinging a golf club since he was two years old.

January 2018: Returned to Competition and Heart Irregularity Diagnosis

In January 2018, McIlroy returned to professional competition at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after over 100 days away. Prior to the tournament, he disclosed being diagnosed with a slight heart irregularity.

2023: Hero Dubai Desert Classic Win and Masters Missed Cut

In 2023, McIlroy started the year by winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He later missed the cut at the Masters Tournament in April but finished tied-7th at the PGA Championship in May.

May 2024: Filed for divorce

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

2024: U.S. Open Disappointment and Missed Cut at the Open Championship

During the 2024 U.S. Open, McIlroy finished one stroke behind DeChambeau after bogeying three of the final four holes. At the 2024 Open Championship, McIlroy missed the cut, extending his major championship drought.

2025: Loss of Motivation After Masters Win

Following his Masters win in April 2025, McIlroy stated he had lost motivation, citing a need to find another 'mountain to climb'. He tied for 47th at the PGA Championship, missed a cut at the RBC Canadian Open, and tied for 19th at the U.S. Open.