Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer who has achieved the top ranking in the world. He has won four major championships: the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Open Championship. He is one of only three golfers to win four majors before turning 25, a feat he shares with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
1960: Start of modern PGA Tour
The modern PGA Tour began in 1960, ushering in a new era of professional golf.
1987: Sandy Lyle wins The Players Championship
Sandy Lyle became the first British golfer to win The Players Championship.
1987: Ireland Wins European Amateur Team Championship
Ireland claims victory in the European Amateur Team Championship for the first time since 1987.
May 1989: Rory McIlroy is Born
Rory McIlroy is born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland.
May 1989: Rory McIlroy is Born
Rory McIlroy is born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland.
2004: Junior Ryder Cup Victory
At the age of 15, Rory McIlroy plays a key role in Europe's Junior Ryder Cup victory over the United States in Ohio. He also participates in the European Boys' Team Championship as a member of the Irish team.
2004: Signs Letter of Intent with East Tennessee State University
Rory McIlroy initially signs a letter of intent to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University.
July 2005: Course Record at Royal Portrush
At 16 years old, Rory McIlroy sets a new course record with a score of 61 on the Dunluce links of Royal Portrush Golf Club.
2005: European Amateur Team Championship Appearance
At 16, Rory McIlroy represents Ireland in the European Amateur Team Championship, but the team doesn't reach the quarter-finals.
2005: First European Tour Event
Just days after turning 16, Rory McIlroy makes his first appearance in a European Tour event at the British Masters.
2005: Multiple PGA Tour Victories and FedEx Cup Success
Rory McIlroy achieved several victories in the PGA Tour, including the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship. These wins made him the first European to win four PGA Tour events in a single season since 2005 and propelled him to the top of the PGA Tour money list and FedEx Cup standings.
2005: Irish Championship Double
Rory McIlroy achieves a remarkable double by winning both the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship, becoming the youngest-ever winner of both titles.
October 2006: Eisenhower Trophy Representation
Rory McIlroy represents Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy, the Amateur World Team Championship.
2006: West of Ireland and Irish Close Victories
Rory McIlroy successfully defends his West of Ireland Championship title and continues his dominance by winning the Irish Close Championship for the second consecutive year.
February 2007: Briefly Tops World Amateur Golf Ranking
Rory McIlroy reaches the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for the second time, but holds the position for only one week.
September 2007: Turns Professional
Rory McIlroy begins his professional golfing career, signing with International Sports Management.
2007: Tops World Amateur Golf Ranking
At the age of 17, Rory McIlroy achieves the top ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week.
2007: Open Championship Debut and Silver Medal
Rory McIlroy participates in his first major championship, the Open Championship at Carnoustie, and finishes as the highest-ranked amateur, earning the silver medal.
2007: Walker Cup Representation
Rory McIlroy represents Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup at the Royal County Down Golf Club. The United States wins the event, but McIlroy has a mixed performance with one win, two losses, and one tie.
2007: Invitation from Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods invites Rory McIlroy to participate in the Target World Challenge.
January 2008: European Tour Season Begins
Rory McIlroy commenced his 2008 European Tour season at the UBS Hong Kong Open, but unfortunately, he did not make the one-under cut.
September 2008: Close Call at Omega European Masters
McIlroy took a commanding four-stroke lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. However, he ultimately finished in a tie for first place with Jean-François Lucquin and lost in a playoff, narrowly missing out on victory.
November 2008: Strong Finish in European Tour
McIlroy concluded his European Tour season with a commendable performance, securing six top-10 placements and achieving a world ranking of 79th.
November 2008: Highest World Ranking Achieved
McIlroy's second-place finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open propelled him to his highest world ranking position of 50 at the time.
2008: Secures European Tour Card
Rory McIlroy earns his European Tour card for the 2008 season by finishing tied for fourth at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano, becoming the youngest Affiliate Member in European Tour history to do so.
2008: Declines Invitation to AT&T National
Rory McIlroy chooses to participate in the European Open instead of accepting an invitation from Tiger Woods to play in the AT&T National.
April 2009: First Masters Tournament Appearance
McIlroy made his highly anticipated debut at the Masters Tournament, his first major championship as a professional, and finished tied for 20th place, displaying promising potential on golf's biggest stage.
November 2009: Top 10 World Ranking and PGA Tour Announcement
McIlroy's exceptional performances throughout the year earned him a spot in the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time. In November, he also announced his decision to join the PGA Tour for the upcoming 2010 season.
2009: Withdrawal from Nedbank Golf Challenge
Despite accepting Gary Player's invitation to compete in the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge, McIlroy was unfortunately forced to withdraw due to health concerns, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional sports.
2009: Strong Performances in Major Championships
McIlroy participated in several prestigious major championships, including the U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship, showcasing his growing prominence in the world of golf with impressive performances. Notably, he achieved his first top-10 finish in a major at the U.S. Open.
2009: Quarterfinals Appearance in WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship
McIlroy showcased his match play skills by reaching the quarterfinals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, where he faced tough competition from notable golfers like Louis Oosthuizen, Hunter Mahan, and Tim Clark, before losing to the eventual champion, Geoff Ogilvy.
2009: First European Tour Victory
Rory McIlroy secures his first professional victory on the European Tour.
July 2010: Record-breaking Performance at The Open Championship
McIlroy achieved a remarkable feat at The Open Championship by shooting a 9-under-par 63 in the opening round, setting a new record for the lowest-ever first-round score in the tournament's illustrious 150-year history. This exceptional performance also tied the course record at the Old Course at St Andrews. His strong overall performance resulted in a tied for third finish, propelling him to a career-high world ranking of seventh.
October 2010: Ryder Cup Contribution and Missed Opportunity at PGA Championship
Despite narrowly missing out on a chance to win the PGA Championship after a three-putt on the 15th green, McIlroy made a significant contribution to the European team's Ryder Cup victory by securing a crucial half-point.
2010: First Ryder Cup Appearance
Rory McIlroy makes his debut appearance in the Ryder Cup, representing Europe against the United States, and is part of the winning team.
2010: PGA Tour Debut
Rory McIlroy makes his debut on the PGA Tour, marking a significant step in his professional career and setting the stage for his future success in the United States.
2010: First PGA Tour Victory
Rory McIlroy achieves his first win on the PGA Tour.
2010: Early Exit and Sore Back in Accenture Match Play
McIlroy's participation in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship was cut short after a first-round victory against Kevin Na, as he faced defeat in a playoff hole against Oliver Wilson. Following the tournament, McIlroy took a break from golf to address a sore back, highlighting the physical demands of the sport.
2010: Reflection on PGA Tour Decision and Management Split
McIlroy expressed regret over his decision to give up his PGA Tour card and skip The Players Championship. He attributed this decision partly to his former manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour, which ultimately led to their professional separation.
June 2011: First Major Championship Victory
Rory McIlroy won his first major championship at the U.S. Open at Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland, with an 8-stroke margin of victory over Jason Day. McIlroy set several records, including a new U.S. Open record with a 72-hole aggregate score of 268 (16-under). This victory propelled him to number four in the Official World Golf Ranking.
December 2011: Victory at the UBS Hong Kong Open
Rory McIlroy won the UBS Hong Kong Open by two strokes, further cementing his position as a leading golfer.
2011: European Tour Earnings Milestone
At 22, Rory McIlroy becomes the youngest golfer to earn €10 million in career earnings on the European Tour.
2011: Relationship with Caroline Wozniacki
Rory McIlroy began dating Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
2011: Race to Dubai Victory and DP World Tour Championship Win
Rory McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai title and won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, replicating Luke Donald's 2011 achievement of winning both the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles in the same year.
2011: U.S. Open Victory
Rory McIlroy wins his first major championship at the U.S. Open.
2011: McIlroy Wins RTÉ Sports Person of the Year
Rory McIlroy wins the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Award.
2011: McIlroy wins U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy wins the U.S. Open.
August 2012: Victory at the PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, with a record-setting eight-stroke margin of victory. This win made him the youngest multiple major champion since Seve Ballesteros in 1980 and returned him to the world's number one ranking.
2012: Awarded MBE
Rory McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for his contributions to the sport.
2012: McIlroy Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award
Rory McIlroy wins the PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award.
2012: PGA Championship Victory
Rory McIlroy wins the PGA Championship, his second major title.
2012: McIlroy Wins RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year
Rory McIlroy wins the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Award and the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award.
2012: PGA Tour Earnings Milestone
Rory McIlroy sets another record by becoming the youngest golfer to earn $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
2012: Ryder Cup Victory
Rory McIlroy participates in the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's victory over the United States.
2012: McIlroy Sweeps Awards
Besides leading the PGA Tour money list, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award. In addition to winning the Race to Dubai, he was voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year. He also won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in the year (28 of 52 weeks). Also in 2012, he won a Laureus World Sports Award in the category Breakthrough of the Year.
2012: Ryder Cup Victory with Team Europe
Rory McIlroy played a crucial role in Team Europe's Ryder Cup victory, securing three points and defeating Keegan Bradley in the final day's singles match.
December 2013: Engagement to Caroline Wozniacki
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki announced their engagement.
2013: Missed Cut at the Honda Classic
McIlroy missed the cut at the 2013 Honda Classic, marking his first missed cut on the PGA Tour since the 2013 Open Championship, ending a streak of 22 consecutive events making the cut.
2013: Establishment of Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd
Rory McIlroy founded Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd, a company led by Donal Casey, to oversee the royalty payments generated from his various endorsements.
2013: Emirates Australian Open Victory and Equipment Change Challenges
Rory McIlroy won the Emirates Australian Open, beating Adam Scott by one stroke. This win followed a period of struggles with an equipment change after signing a major endorsement deal with Nike.
May 2014: End of Engagement with Caroline Wozniacki
Rory McIlroy broke off his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki, citing his own unreadiness for marriage as the reason. Wozniacki later revealed that McIlroy ended the relationship abruptly over a phone call and had not contacted her since.
2014: McIlroy Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award
Rory McIlroy wins the PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award.
2014: McIlroy Wins The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy won the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool by two strokes, securing his third major championship. He led the tournament from start to finish. This victory made him the third European golfer to win three different majors and one of three golfers to achieve this feat by the age of 25, alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
2014: McIlroy wins The Open
Rory McIlroy wins The Open Championship.
2014: Ryder Cup Victory and RTÉ Sports Person of the Year
Rory McIlroy helps Europe secure another win in the Ryder Cup. His exceptional performances earn him the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year award.
2014: McIlroy Repeats Award Sweep
Rory McIlroy again swept the PGA Tour awards: Arnold Palmer Award (leading money winner), PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award. He also won the Race to Dubai and was voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year. He again won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in the year (22 of 52 weeks). He was awarded the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for the second time, previously winning in 2011, and the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for the third time after victories in 2011 and 2012. He also came 2nd in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, behind Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
2014: Double Major Victory
Rory McIlroy achieves a remarkable feat by winning both the Open Championship and the PGA Championship in the same year, securing his third and fourth major titles.
2014: McIlroy's PGA Championship Victory
Just a week after winning his first World Golf Championship event, McIlroy won the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. This victory marked his fourth major championship win, narrowly beating runner-up Phil Mickelson by one shot.
December 2015: Engagement to Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll became engaged during a holiday in Paris.
2015: Relationship with Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy began a relationship with Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee.
2015: Legal Settlement with Horizon Sports Management
Rory McIlroy reached an out-of-court settlement with Horizon Sports Management, his former management company, agreeing to pay between £13-£20 million to resolve contractual disputes over fees dating back to 2017.
2015: McIlroy's Second Omega Dubai Desert Classic Win and WGC-Cadillac Match Play Victory
Rory McIlroy started the year strong, securing his second victory at the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic with an impressive 22-under-par score. This tied the record previously set by Stephen Gallacher and Thomas Bjørn. Later in the year, he triumphed at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play event held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, marking his second World Golf Championship victory. With this win, he joined Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as only the third golfer to achieve 10 PGA Tour wins and four majors by the age of 25.
2015: Ankle Injury Sidelines McIlroy
Rory McIlroy suffered a left anterior talofibular ligament injury (ankle ligament) shortly before the Open Championship. This injury caused him to miss both the Open Championship and the subsequent WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He returned to competition at the PGA Championship, making the cut and finishing in 17th place.
2015: Ankle Injury
Rory McIlroy sustained ankle ligament damage while playing football with friends, causing him to miss the 2015 Open Championship. Despite the injury, he remained determined to continue playing football.
2015: McIlroy Shortlisted for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Wins European Tour Golfer of the Year
Rory McIlroy was shortlisted for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. In 2015, McIlroy won European Tour Golfer of the Year for the third time (2012, 2014).
2015: Non-Chronological Results
The results before 2015 are not presented in chronological order.
2016: McIlroy Wins Irish Open and Deutsche Bank Championship
Rory McIlroy achieved his first victory of the year at the Irish Open, a tournament hosted by his own Rory Foundation. He finished three strokes ahead of Russell Knox and Bradley Dredge and donated his €666,000 winnings to charity. He continued his winning ways by securing the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts, with a two-shot victory over Paul Casey. His flawless final round score of 65 marked his first win on the PGA Tour in 2016.
2016: Mixed Results for McIlroy at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy had a mixed performance at the 2016 Ryder Cup, winning three points out of five matches played, all in partnership with Thomas Pieters. They defeated Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar in the Friday fourballs, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson in the Saturday foursomes, and Brooks Koepka and Johnson in the Saturday fourballs. However, he lost in the Friday foursomes alongside Andy Sullivan against Mickelson and Fowler and was defeated by Patrick Reed in the Sunday singles.
2016: Ryder Cup Appearance
Rory McIlroy represents Europe in the Ryder Cup.
2016: Tour Championship and FedEx Cup Victory
McIlroy's previous victory came at the 2016 Tour Championship, where he also secured the FedEx Cup title.
2016: McIlroy Signs Endorsement Deal with TaylorMade
Following Nike's withdrawal from the golf equipment market, McIlroy spent several months testing various clubs and balls. He ultimately signed a lucrative $100 million endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
2016: McIlroy Wins Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
At the 2016 Tour Championship, the final event of the PGA Tour season, McIlroy trailed by two shots entering the final round but managed to force a playoff against Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell. He emerged victorious on the fourth playoff hole with a birdie on the 16th, securing the FedEx Cup title and a $10 million bonus.
2016: McIlroy's Near Miss at WGC-Cadillac Championship and Masters Disappointment
McIlroy led by three shots going into the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral but ultimately finished two shots behind winner Adam Scott after a disappointing final round score of 74. At the Masters, McIlroy was in contention during the third round, playing alongside Jordan Spieth in the final group. However, he struggled to a birdie-free 77, ultimately finishing T10 after a final round of 71. He attributed his struggles to the immense pressure of pursuing the Grand Slam.
April 2017: Marriage to Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll were married at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.
2017: Ranked Sixth Highest-Paid Athlete
According to Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, Rory McIlroy earned US$50 million in 2017, with $34 million coming from endorsements, making him the joint sixth highest-paid sportsperson that year.
2017: Resolution of Legal Dispute with Horizon Sports Management
After a protracted legal battle, Rory McIlroy agreed to pay between £13-£20 million to settle outstanding contractual obligations with his former management company, Horizon Sports Management. The dispute originated from fees claimed for a period extending to 2017, based on contracts signed when McIlroy was 22.
2017: Solid Performances and Rib Injury Hamper McIlroy's Season
McIlroy did not secure a victory in 2017 but still delivered a solid performance, achieving top-10 finishes at the Masters, The Open, and three WGC events. A rib injury sustained at the BMW SA Open in January, where he lost in a playoff to Graeme Storm, hampered him throughout the season. As a result, he played a limited schedule and, after failing to qualify for the Tour Championship, decided to end his season early to focus on rest and recovery.
February 2018: Appearance on The Grand Tour
Rory McIlroy participated in an episode of Amazon Prime's The Grand Tour, racing against Paris Hilton in the 'Celebrity Face-Off' segment.
March 2018: McIlroy Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational
Rory McIlroy returned to action after an extended break at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in late January, revealing a minor heart irregularity but downplaying its impact on his golf. While he finished as runner-up to Li Haotong in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, he achieved a significant victory on March 18, 2018, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a final-round score of 64. This marked his first win since the 2016 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.
2018: Ryder Cup Victory
Rory McIlroy contributes to Europe's victory in the Ryder Cup.
2018: McIlroy Contends but Falls Short at the Masters and Open Championship
Rory McIlroy was in contention during the final round of his tenth appearance at the Masters Tournament. Starting the final round three shots behind Patrick Reed, he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity to win a green jacket, finishing six strokes back after shooting a 74. Later in the year, he tied for second place at the Open Championship with a score of six-under-par, narrowly missing out on another major victory.
June 2019: McIlroy wins RBC Canadian Open
Rory McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open by 7 strokes in Hamilton, Ontario. He shot a final-round 61 to win the tournament. He became the sixth golfer to win the career Triple Crown (possessing the PGA Tour's three oldest events by winning the three national championships; The Open in 2014, the U.S. Open in 2011, and the Canadian Open).
August 2019: McIlroy wins Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
Rory McIlroy clinched his second season-long FedEx Cup by winning the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. The winning payout was $15 million, the largest in golf history. He became the second player to win multiple FedEx Cups.
November 2019: McIlroy Wins WGC-HSBC Champions Tournament
Rory McIlroy won the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff against Xander Schauffele. The event was held outside of Shanghai, China. This event was part of the 2019 European Tour and the 2019–20 PGA Tour.
December 2019: McIlroy skips Saudi International Tournament
Rory McIlroy informed that he would miss the European Tour's Saudi International tournament in Riyadh and stated morality issues in going to the nation. "One hundred percent, there's a morality to it as well," his statement read.
2019: McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award
Rory McIlroy won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award for the third time (2012, 2014). He also won the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for a third time.
May 2020: McIlroy and Johnson win charity skins game
Rory McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, secured a win in a charity skins game played under the nearest-the-pin shot rule, as golf returned to television after nine weeks. The duo ended up winning £1.53 million for coronavirus relief funds.
September 2020: Birth of Daughter
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll welcomed their first child, a daughter.
2020: Non-Chronological Results
The results for 2020 are not presented in chronological order.
2021: Ryder Cup Appearance
Rory McIlroy represents Europe in the Ryder Cup.
2021: US Wins Ryder Cup
The US team won the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin 19–9. Rory McIlroy went 1–3–0 and won his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele.
December 2022: Data As Of Date
The provided data is accurate as of December 31, 2022.
2022: McIlroy wins Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award
Rory McIlroy won the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for a fourth time.
2022: Discontinuation of Championship and Invitational
The Championship and Invitational events were discontinued.
2022: Graeme McDowell Joins LIV Golf
Graeme McDowell moved to the LIV Golf league in 2022.
February 15, 2023: Featured in Full Swing Documentary
Rory McIlroy was featured in the sports documentary series Full Swing, which premiered on Netflix.
2023: Ryder Cup Victory
Rory McIlroy is part of the European team that wins the Ryder Cup.
2023: Investment in Alpine F1 Team
Rory McIlroy joined the investment group of the Alpine Formula One racing team.
2023: Discontinuation of Champions Event
The Champions event was discontinued.
May 2024: Divorce Filing
Rory McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll in Palm Beach County, Florida.