Rory McIlroy's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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.

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.

1980: Previous U.S. Open Record

In 1980, Jack Nicklaus held the previous U.S. Open Record.

1993: Previous U.S. Open Record

In 1993, Lee Janzen held the previous U.S. Open Record.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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 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.

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 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 Wins European Tour Golfer of the Year

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

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: 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.

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: 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.