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, renowned for his membership in both the European and PGA Tours. He achieved the world number one ranking and maintained it for over 100 weeks. McIlroy stands alone as the only three-time FedEx Cup champion, exceeding Tiger Woods' previous record. His major championship victories include the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, and 2014 PGA Championship. He is one of only three golfers, alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to secure four major titles before turning 25.
1923: Youngest Winner
In 1923, Bobby Jones was the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923.
1960: Reaching 20 PGA Tour wins before age 33
In 1960, Rory McIlroy became only the sixth player since that year to achieve 20 PGA Tour wins before turning 33, highlighting his early career success and dominance.
1980: Record Shared by Jack Nicklaus
In 1980, Jack Nicklaus was one of the people who held the U.S. Open 72-hole aggregate score record.
1980: Jack Nicklaus won the 1980 PGA Championship
In 1980, Jack Nicklaus won the PGA Championship by seven strokes. Rory McIlroy set a new record in August 2012 by winning by eight strokes.
1987: Sandy Lyle won the Players Championship in 1987
Sandy Lyle won the Players Championship in 1987, becoming the first British winner of the tournament.
1993: Record Shared by Lee Janzen
In 1993, Lee Janzen was one of the people who held the U.S. Open 72-hole aggregate score record.
2000: Record Shared by Tiger Woods
In 2000, Tiger Woods was one of the people who held the U.S. Open 72-hole aggregate score record.
2003: Record Shared by Jim Furyk
In 2003, Jim Furyk was one of the people who held the U.S. Open 72-hole aggregate score record.
July 2005: Course Record at Royal Portrush
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.
2006: Retained West of Ireland Championship and Irish Close Championship Wins
In 2006, Rory McIlroy retained the West of Ireland Championship and followed that up with back-to-back wins at the Irish Close Championship.
February 2007: Top World Amateur Golf Ranking
On February 6, 2007, Rory McIlroy became the second man to top the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
2007: Open Championship Debut and Silver Medal
In 2007, Rory McIlroy made his first major championship entry at the Open Championship at Carnoustie, finishing as the highest finishing amateur and winning the silver medal.
2007: Top World Amateur Golf Ranking and Turned Professional
In 2007, Rory McIlroy topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old and later that year, he turned professional.
November 2008: Highest World Ranking Position
After finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2008, Rory McIlroy attained his highest world ranking position of 50.
November 2009: Top 10 World Ranking and PGA Tour Announcement
In November 2009, Rory McIlroy entered the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time and announced that he would join the American-based PGA Tour for the 2010 season.
2009: Ricky Barnes' 36 Hole Record
In 2009 Ricky Barnes, had set a 36 hole record.
2009: First European Tour Win
In 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the European Tour.
July 2010: Record-Tying Round at the Open Championship
On July 15, 2010, Rory McIlroy shot a 9-under-par 63 on the opening day of the Open Championship, tying the course record and achieving the lowest-ever first round score in the history of the Open Championship.
October 2010: Ryder Cup Win
On October 4, 2010, Rory McIlroy won a crucial half-point to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup.
2010: Ryder Cup Win
In 2010, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup against the United States, with Europe winning.
June 2011: U.S. Open Victory
On June 19, 2011, Rory McIlroy achieved his first major championship victory at the U.S. Open, setting a new 72-hole aggregate score record and becoming the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923.
December 2011: Won the UBS Hong Kong Open
In December 2011, Rory McIlroy won the UBS Hong Kong Open by two strokes.
2011: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year
In 2011, McIlroy won the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year.
2011: U.S. Open Win
In 2011, Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open, marking his first major championship victory.
2011: Youngest to Reach €10 Million 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.
2011: Duplicated Luke Donald's 2011 feat
Rory McIlroy duplicated Luke Donald's 2011 feat of winning both the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles in the same year.
2011: Won the 2011 U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy won the 2011 U.S. Open, becoming the third European to win three different majors.
August 2012: Won the 2012 PGA Championship
On 12 August 2012, Rory McIlroy won the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, by eight strokes, setting a margin-of-victory record for the PGA Championship. He also regained the world's number one ranking.
2012: Sweeping Awards and Recognition
In 2012, McIlroy had a year of significant recognition, 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 a Laureus World Sports Award.
2012: Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
In 2012, McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport, recognizing his contributions and achievements in the field.
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 against the United States, with Europe winning.
2012: PGA Championship Win
In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship, adding to his major championship titles.
2012: Won the 2012 PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy won the 2012 PGA Championship, becoming the third European to win three different majors.
2013: Won the 2013 Emirates Australian Open
In 2013, Rory McIlroy won the Emirates Australian Open on the 72nd hole, beating Adam Scott by one stroke.
2014: Sweeping PGA Tour awards and other accolades
In 2014, McIlroy again swept the PGA Tour awards, earning the Arnold Palmer Award, PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award. He also secured the Race to Dubai, was voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year, and won the Mark H. McCormack Award. Additionally, he was awarded the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.
2014: Ryder Cup Win
In 2014, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup against the United States, with Europe winning.
2014: RTÉ Sports Person of the Year
In 2014, Rory McIlroy was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for his individual and team achievements.
2014: Open Championship and PGA Championship Wins
In 2014, Rory McIlroy won both The Open Championship and the PGA Championship, marking a successful year in major championships.
2014: Won the 2014 PGA Championship
In 2014, Rory McIlroy won the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, marking his fourth major championship victory.
2015: European Tour Golfer of the Year
In 2015, McIlroy was shortlisted for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and won the European Tour Golfer of the Year for the third time.
2015: Won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play
In 2015, Rory McIlroy won the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic for a second time and he won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play event held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. He also finished fourth at the 2015 Masters Tournament.
2016: 2016 Ryder Cup
At the 2016 Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy played five matches and won three points, all when paired with Thomas Pieters. He lost his Sunday singles match to Patrick Reed.
2016: Won the 2016 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
At the final event of the PGA Tour season, the 2016 Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy won in a playoff and secured the FedEx Cup and a $10 million bonus.
2016: Won the Irish Open and Deutsche Bank Championship
In 2016, Rory McIlroy won his home Irish Open and gave the winner's cheque to charity. On 5 September, he won the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts.
March 2018: Won the Arnold Palmer Invitational
On 18 March 2018, Rory McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a final-round 64, marking his first win since winning the Tour Championship in 2016.
September 2018: Participated in the 2018 Ryder Cup
In September 2018, Rory McIlroy qualified for the European team participating in the 2018 Ryder Cup. Team Europe beat Team USA 17 1/2 to 10 1/2.
2018: Ryder Cup Win
In 2018, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup against the United States, with Europe winning.
2018: PGA Tour Player of the Year
Rory McIlroy was named the 2018–19 PGA Tour Player of the Year in August 2019.
June 2019: Won the 2019 RBC Canadian Open
On 9 June 2019, Rory McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open by 7 strokes. He became the sixth golfer to win the career Triple Crown.
August 2019: Won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
On 25 August 2019, Rory McIlroy clinched his second season-long FedEx Cup by winning the Tour Championship and was named the 2018–19 PGA Tour Player of the Year.
November 2019: Won the WGC-HSBC Champions
On 3 November 2019, Rory McIlroy won the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff against Xander Schauffele.
2019: PGA Tour Player of the Year
In 2019, McIlroy received the PGA Tour Player of the Year award for the third time, adding to his previous wins. He also won the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for a third time.
May 2020: Charity Skins Game Win
On 17 May 2020, Rory McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, secured a win in a charity skins game, winning £1.53 million for coronavirus relief funds.
2021: 2021 Ryder Cup
In September 2021, Rory McIlroy played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. The US team won 19–9, and McIlroy went 1–3–0.
December 2022: Status as of December 31, 2022
As of December 31, 2022, a certain status or condition was noted regarding Rory McIlroy. The specific details related to this status are not provided, but it marks a point-in-time assessment as of December 2022.
2022: Wins the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award
In 2022, McIlroy secured the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award for a fourth time, marking another achievement in his successful career.
September 2023: Ryder Cup Victory
In September 2023, McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup playing on the European team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. The European team won the Ryder Cup with a score of 16.5–11.5, and McIlroy contributed with a 4–1–0 record, which included a win in his Sunday singles match.
2023: Ryder Cup Win
In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup against the United States, with Europe winning.
June 2024: Divorce Filing Withdrawn
By June 2024, Rory McIlroy withdrew the divorce filing he had previously submitted. This action reversed the initial decision to end his marriage in June 2024.
2024: Wins Wells Fargo Championship, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and Hero Dubai Desert Classic
In 2024, McIlroy won his first title of the season at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry. He also secured his fourth victory at the Wells Fargo Championship. He also won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, trailing by 11 entering Saturday, then shooting a nine-under 63, and winning by one stroke.
2025: Wins AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
In 2025, McIlroy won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his first PGA Tour event of the year, finishing with a score of −21 and beating Shane Lowry by two strokes.
