Rory McIlroy's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Rory McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy, a Northern Irish professional golfer, is a former world number one, having held the top spot for over 100 weeks. A five-time major champion, his victories include the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, and the 2014 Open Championship. Notably, he has also won the 2025 Masters Tournament. McIlroy is one of only six male golfers to achieve a modern career Grand Slam, and the only European to achieve this feat.

Sections (6)

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

2002: Ulster Boys' U15 Championship Win

In 2002, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U15 Championship, marking an early achievement in his amateur career.

2003: Ulster Boys' U18 Championship Win

In 2003, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U18 Championship, further establishing his talent as a young golfer.

2004: Irish Team Member and Junior Ryder Cup Winner

In 2004, Rory McIlroy was a member of the Irish team at the European Boys' Team Championship and part of the European team that won the Junior Ryder Cup against the United States in Ohio.

2005: Wins 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, marking significant achievements in his amateur career.

2005: Young Player of the Year Award

In 2005, Rory McIlroy received the Young Player of the Year award at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards.

August 2006: European Amateur Win

In August 2006, Rory McIlroy won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club near Milan, Italy, earning him an exemption to The Open Championship the following year.

2007: Competes in European Amateur Team Championship

In 2007, Rory McIlroy competed for Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championship, with future Open champion Shane Lowry as a teammate, and Ireland won the championship.

2007: Major Championship Debut and Walker Cup

In 2007, Rory McIlroy made his major championship debut at The Open Championship and also participated in the Walker Cup, marking significant milestones in his amateur career.

2007: Reaches Number One on World Amateur Golf Ranking, Turns Professional

In 2007, Rory McIlroy reached number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking as a 17-year-old and later turned professional, beginning his professional golf career.

2007: Tiger Woods First FedEx Cup

In 2007, Tiger Woods won his first FedEx Cup.

January 2008: Enters 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, marking his progress in the professional golf world.

November 2008: Moves into Top 50 of OWGR

In November 2008, after finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open, Rory McIlroy moved into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), further solidifying his position among the elite golfers.

2008: Earns European Tour Card

In 2008, Rory McIlroy secured his European Tour card after a strong performance at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano, becoming the youngest affiliate member in the history of the European Tour to earn a tour card.

2008: George Best Breakthrough Prize

In 2008, Rory McIlroy won the George Best Breakthrough Prize.

February 2009: First Professional Win at Dubai Desert Classic

On February 1, 2009, Rory McIlroy secured his first professional win at age 19 at the Dubai Desert Classic, elevating 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 step in his professional career.

2009: Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year Award

In 2009, Rory McIlroy won the Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year award.

2009: Invited to Masters Tournament

In 2009, Rory McIlroy's high ranking earned him an invitation to the Masters Tournament, marking his debut in this prestigious major championship.

2009: Tiger Woods Scoring Average

In 2009, Tiger Woods had a scoring average of 68.05.

2009: Buys Parents a House

In 2009, after achieving success as a professional golfer, Rory McIlroy bought his parents a house, expressing gratitude for their sacrifices and ensuring their financial security.

2010: Ties Course Record at Open Championship, Finishes Third at PGA Championship

In 2010, Rory McIlroy tied the course record at the Open Championship with a 9-under-par 63 and finished in third place at the PGA Championship, marking strong performances in major tournaments.

2010: First PGA Tour Win at Quail Hollow Championship

In 2010, Rory McIlroy won his first PGA Tour event at the Quail Hollow Championship after shooting a course-record 62 in the final round, making him the first player since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event before turning 21.

2011: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

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

2011: U.S. Open Win

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

2011: Youngest to reach €10 million in career earnings on European Tour

In 2011, at age 22, Rory McIlroy became the youngest player ever to reach €10 million in career earnings on the European Tour, showcasing his early financial success.

2011: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year

In 2011, in recognition of his win at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy was named the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.

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, marking another financial milestone in his career.

2012: Worked with Dave Stockton and won PGA Championship

In 2012, Rory McIlroy credited former PGA Tour player Dave Stockton for improvements in his putting after winning the PGA Championship, having received putting instruction from him.

2012: Ryder Cup Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's victory.

2012: MBE Appointment and Laureus World Sports Award

In 2012, Rory McIlroy received the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport.

2012: PGA Championship Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy secured victory at the PGA Championship, further solidifying his position in the world of golf.

2012: Mark H. McCormack Award

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in a calendar year.

2014: McIlroy's Last 54-Hole Outright Lead at a Major

In 2014, Rory McIlroy last held a 54-hole outright lead at a major before the 2025 Masters Tournament, which was at the 2014 PGA Championship.

2014: Awards Repeated

In 2014, Rory McIlroy repeated the award sweep from 2012 and was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for a second time and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for a third time.

2014: Ryder Cup Win, RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2014, Rory McIlroy represented Europe in the Ryder Cup victory and was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for the second time, recognizing his achievements.

2014: PGA Championship and Open Championship Wins

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship, showcasing a dominant year in his career.

2014: Mark H. McCormack Award

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in a calendar year.

2015: Return to World Number One

In 2015, Rory McIlroy returned to world number one in the OWGR for the first time since 2015.

2015: Mark H. McCormack Award

In 2015, Rory McIlroy won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in a calendar year.

2016: Tour Championship Win

In 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Tour Championship.

2017: Ranked sixth in Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes

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

March 2018: Arnold Palmer Invitational Win

In March 2018, Rory McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a final-round score of 64. This marked his first victory since the 2016 Tour Championship.

September 2018: 2018 Ryder Cup Participation

In September 2018, Rory McIlroy competed in the 2018 Ryder Cup, contributing a 2–3–0 record. This included a loss in the Sunday singles to Justin Thomas. Team Europe defeated Team USA 17.5–10.5 to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

2018: Ryder Cup Win

In 2018, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, where Europe emerged victorious.

June 2019: RBC Canadian Open Win and Career Triple Crown

In June 2019, Rory McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open with a final-round score of 61, winning the tournament by seven strokes. He became the sixth golfer to win the career Triple Crown, consisting of the Open Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Canadian Open.

November 2019: WGC-HSBC Champions Win

In November 2019, Rory McIlroy won the 2019 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff against Xander Schauffele in Shanghai, China.

2019: PGA Tour Success and Players Championship Win

In 2019, Rory McIlroy had a strong start to the PGA Tour season with five consecutive top-6 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship in February. He later won the 2019 Players Championship in March. With this win, he joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win four majors and 15 PGA Tour titles before turning 30.

2019: Wins The Players Championship

In 2019, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, a significant achievement in his professional golf career.

2019: PGA Tour Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy

In 2019, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award and the Vardon Trophy for the third time.

May 2020: Charity Skins Game Win with Dustin Johnson

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic suspension of professional tournaments, Rory McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, won a charity skins game played under the nearest-the-pin shot rule. This event marked golf's return to television after nine weeks and raised around £4 million for relief efforts.

May 2021: Wells Fargo Championship Win

In May 2021, Rory McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club by one stroke, securing his third win at Quail Hollow and his 19th PGA Tour victory.

October 2021: CJ Cup Victory and Life Membership

In October 2021, Rory McIlroy won the CJ Cup, finishing one stroke ahead of Collin Morikawa with weekend rounds of 62 and 66. This victory marked his 20th PGA Tour win, earning him life membership.

2022: Wins Third FedEx Cup

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

2022: Vardon Trophy Win

In 2022, Rory McIlroy won the Vardon Trophy for a fourth time. His scoring average of 68.67 was the lowest since Tiger Woods' 68.05 in 2009.

2022: RBC Canadian Open Title Defense and Top-10 Finishes in All Majors

In June 2022, Rory McIlroy defended his title at the RBC Canadian Open, winning by two shots. He finished tied-5th at the 2022 U.S. Open the following week. In July, at the 2022 Open Championship, McIlroy finished third, two strokes behind Cameron Smith. This marked the first time in his career that he finished top-10 in all four majors.

2023: Ryder Cup Win

In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, with Europe winning the competition.

2023: Hero Dubai Desert Classic Win, Masters Missed Cut, and PGA Championship Finish

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

2023: U.S. Open Finish and Genesis Scottish Open Win

In June 2023, Rory McIlroy finished solo-second at the U.S. Open, one shot behind Wyndham Clark. In July, McIlroy won the Genesis Scottish Open, finishing one stroke ahead of Robert MacIntyre.

2023: Ryder Cup and Race to Dubai Title

In September 2023, Rory McIlroy played on the European team in the Ryder Cup, winning 16.5–11.5. In November, McIlroy won his fifth Race to Dubai title.

2024: European Tour Player of the Year

In 2024, Rory McIlroy won the European Tour Player of the Year award, now renamed the Seve Ballesteros Award, for the fourth time in his career.

2024: Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Wells Fargo Championship Wins

In April 2024, Rory McIlroy won his first title of the season at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event with Shane Lowry. He followed this by winning the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time.

2025: Ball Speed Capability

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

2025: Players Championship Victory

At the 2025 Players Championship, Rory McIlroy tied for first and won a three-hole aggregate playoff to claim his second Players Championship title.

2025: Wins The Players Championship

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, adding another victory to his professional golf career.

2025: Masters Tournament

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament, becoming one of six male golfers to achieve a modern career Grand Slam.

2025: Masters Win and Career Grand Slam

In April 2025, at the Masters Tournament, Rory McIlroy secured his first Masters win and completed the career grand slam after playoff. McIlroy held a two-stroke lead after 54 holes and birdied the first playoff hole to win his first Masters and complete the career grand slam. He became the sixth player to achieve this feat in the modern era.

2025: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Win

In his first PGA Tour event of 2025, Rory McIlroy won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finishing with a score of −21, beating Shane Lowry by two strokes.