History of Rory McIlroy in Timeline
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.
1904: Last time that golf was an Olympic Event
In June 2014, Rory McIlroy said he would represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games, where golf became an Olympic event for the first time since 1904.
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.
1960: Sixth Player to reach 20 tour wins before 33rd birthday since 1960
In October 2021, Rory McIlroy's CJ Cup victory marked him as the sixth player since 1960 to achieve 20 PGA Tour wins before turning 33, highlighting a significant milestone in his career.
November 1972: Joe McIlroy killed in Belfast
In November 1972, Rory McIlroy's great-uncle, Joe McIlroy, was killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force in a sectarian attack at his home in East Belfast.
1980: Previous U.S. Open Record
In 1980, Jack Nicklaus held the previous U.S. Open Record.
1987: Ireland's Previous Title Win
In 1987, Ireland last won the championship, marking a significant gap before McIlroy's team's victory.
May 1989: Rory McIlroy's Birth
On May 4, 1989, Rory McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, to Rosie (née McDonald) and Gerry McIlroy, making him their only child.
1993: Previous U.S. Open Record
In 1993, Lee Janzen held the previous U.S. Open Record.
1998: Tiger Woods PGA Tour Started
In 1998, Tiger Woods became the namesake for EA Sports' video game series, Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
2000: Previous U.S. Open Record
In 2000, Tiger Woods held the previous U.S. Open Record.
2003: Previous U.S. Open Record
In 2003, Jim Furyk held the previous U.S. Open Record.
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.
2004: Signed Letter of Intent with East Tennessee State University
In late 2004, at age 15, Rory McIlroy signed a letter of intent to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University.
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.
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: Invited to Target World Challenge
Before his season started, in 2007 Tiger Woods invited McIlroy to play in the Target World Challenge, held in December.
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.
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: Invited to AT&T National
In 2008, Tiger Woods invited McIlroy to play in the AT&T National, held in July. McIlroy declined the invitation, preferring to play the European Open.
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.
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.
2009: Withdrew from Nedbank Golf Challenge
In December 2009, Rory McIlroy accepted an invitation from Gary Player to participate in the Nedbank Golf Challenge but withdrew after feeling unwell.
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: 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 starts dating Caroline Wozniacki
In 2011, Rory McIlroy began a relationship with Danish tennis professional Caroline Wozniacki.
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.
September 2012: McIlroy's House in Moneyreagh Put Up for Sale
In September 2012, Rory McIlroy listed his house near Moneyreagh in County Down for sale at a price of £2 million.
2012: McIlroy expressed interest in representing Great Britain
In 2012 Rory McIlroy expressed an interest in representing Great Britain as opposed to Ireland at the Olympics.
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.
January 2013: McIlroy Considers Olympic Representation
In January 2013, Rory McIlroy was considering representing either Great Britain or Ireland, or not participating at all, in the Olympic Games.
December 2013: McIlroy and Wozniacki get engaged
In December 2013, Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki became engaged.
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.
2013: Tiger Woods PGA Tour Ended
In 2013, Tiger Woods left EA Sports' video game series, Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
May 2014: McIlroy ends engagement with Wozniacki
On May 21, 2014, Rory McIlroy announced that he had ended his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki, stating he wasn't ready for marriage. Wozniacki later revealed that McIlroy ended the relationship with a brief phone call.
June 2014: McIlroy to Represent Ireland at 2016 Olympic Games
In June 2014, Rory McIlroy announced his decision to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games, where golf was reinstated as an Olympic event for the first time since 1904.
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 chooses to represent Ireland
In 2014, Rory McIlroy chose to represent Ireland at the Olympics.
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.
March 2015: McIlroy Throws Club at WGC-Cadillac Championship
In March 2015, during the second round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, Rory McIlroy threw a club into the water after hitting his ball into the water. He later apologized for the incident, citing frustration.
December 2015: McIlroy and Erica Stoll get engaged
In December 2015, Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll became engaged while on holiday in Paris.
2015: Results not in chronological order
Before 2015, Rory McIlroy's results are not in chronological order.
2015: EA Sports' Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
In 2015, Rory McIlroy became the namesake for EA Sports' video game, Rory McIlroy PGA Tour, replacing Tiger Woods.
2015: McIlroy Injures Ankle Ligaments
In 2015, Rory McIlroy injured ankle ligaments while playing football, causing him to miss the 2015 Open Championship. He later stated he would continue to play football.
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.
2016: McIlroy on Olympic Games
In 2016, Rory McIlroy initially stated he would not watch the golf tournament at the Olympic Games, focusing instead on other sports. However, after the tournament, he admitted he was wrong to dismiss it and was surprised by its success.
2016: McIlroy represents Ireland at the Olympic Games
In 2016, Rory McIlroy planned to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games.
April 2017: McIlroy marries Erica Stoll
In April 2017, Rory McIlroy married Erica Stoll at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.
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.
February 2018: McIlroy appears on The Grand Tour
In February 2018, Rory McIlroy appeared on an episode of the Amazon Prime show, The Grand Tour, participating in the 'Celebrity Face-Off' segment against Paris Hilton.
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.
May 2019: McIlroy Intends to Compete at 2020 Olympic Games
In May 2019, Rory McIlroy announced his intention to represent Ireland at the 2020 Olympic Games.
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.
December 2019: McIlroy to Miss Saudi International Tournament
In December 2019, Rory McIlroy announced his decision to skip the European Tour's Saudi International tournament in Riyadh, citing morality issues as the primary reason for his absence.
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.
September 2020: McIlroy and Stoll have a daughter
In September 2020, Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll welcomed their daughter.
2020: McIlroy intends to compete in Olympics
In 2020, Rory McIlroy planned to compete at the Olympic Games, representing Ireland.
2020: Results out of chronological order
In 2020, Rory McIlroy's results are not in chronological order.
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.
December 2022: Data up to 31 December
As of December 31, 2022, the data is up to date.
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.
2022: Championship and Invitational discontinued
In 2022, the Championship and Invitational were discontinued.
January 2023: Controversy with Patrick Reed at Hero Dubai Desert Classic
In January 2023, Rory McIlroy was involved in a controversy with Patrick Reed at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Reed threw a golf tee in McIlroy's direction after McIlroy didn't acknowledge him, stemming from McIlroy's criticism of the LIV Golf League and an alleged subpoena filed by Reed against McIlroy.
February 2023: McIlroy appears in Full Swing
In February 2023, Rory McIlroy appeared in the sports documentary series Full Swing, which premiered on Netflix on February 15.
June 2023: McIlroy on PGA Tour and LIV Golf Merger
In June 2023, before the RBC Canadian Open, Rory McIlroy discussed the PGA Tour's merger with LIV Golf. He expressed feeling like a "sacrificial lamb" for supporting the PGA Tour and reiterated his dislike for LIV Golf, hoping it would cease to exist.
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.
May 2024: McIlroy Files for Divorce
On May 14, 2024, it was announced that Rory McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, in Palm Beach County, Florida.
June 2024: McIlroy Withdraws Divorce Filing
By June 11, 2024, Rory McIlroy withdrew the divorce filing against his wife, Erica Stoll.
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.
2025: McIlroy's Spectator Incident at Players Championship
In 2025, during a practice round at the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy confronted a spectator who he believed had heckled him. McIlroy took the spectator's phone, who was later ejected. McIlroy declined to comment on the incident at a press conference.
Mentioned in this timeline
Paris Hilton is an American media personality businesswoman and socialite...
Liverpool is a port city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside...
Wells Fargo Company is a multinational financial services institution operating...
FedEx Corporation originally Federal Express is a multinational conglomerate based...
Deutsche Bank is a German multinational investment bank and financial...
Coronaviruses are a family of RNA viruses affecting mammals and...
Trending
18 minutes ago Mindy Kaling stuns in a fiery red pantless look and sky-high stilettos.
18 minutes ago Travis Hunter Prefers Quitting Over Single Position, Talks Browns, Sanders, Richardson
19 minutes ago William Levy Arrested in Broward County, Florida: Details and Charges Emerge
19 minutes ago Boeing 737 MAX faces $3.4 million bathroom door latch issue, FAA calls repairs.
1 hour ago Joe Dumars in Talks to Become Pelicans President After Griffin's Departure.
1 hour ago Alcaraz eyes Barcelona, Tsitsipas & Fils compete. ATP 500 showdown in Munich.
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...