Rory McIlroy's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer renowned for his achievements on the European and PGA Tours. As a former world number one, he held the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for over 100 weeks. McIlroy is a five-time major champion and one of only six golfers to accomplish a modern career Grand Slam, notably being the first European to achieve this feat, solidifying his place as a dominant figure in the sport.

Sections (6)

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

1923: Bobby Jones' U.S. Open Win

In 1923, Bobby Jones was the youngest winner of the U.S. Open before Rory McIlroy won it in 2011 at age 22.

1980: Jack Nicklaus' U.S. Open Record

In 1980, Jack Nicklaus jointly held the U.S. Open record of 272 before Rory McIlroy broke it in 2011.

1980: Nicklaus' 1980 PGA Championship

In 1980, Jack Nicklaus won the PGA Championship by seven strokes, a record that stood until Rory McIlroy broke it in 2012.

1993: Lee Janzen's U.S. Open Record

In 1993, Lee Janzen jointly held the U.S. Open record of 272 before Rory McIlroy broke it in 2011.

2000: Tiger Woods' U.S. Open Record

In 2000, Tiger Woods jointly held the U.S. Open record of 272 before Rory McIlroy broke it in 2011. He also had a 12-under record at Pebble Beach Golf Links before McIlroy's 16-under.

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: Jim Furyk's U.S. Open Record

In 2003, Jim Furyk jointly held the U.S. Open record of 272 before Rory McIlroy broke it in 2011.

2003: Ulster Boys' U18 Championship Win

In 2003, Rory McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U18 Championship, adding to his amateur achievements.

2004: European Boys' Team Championship and Junior Ryder Cup

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

2005: Won 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: McIlroy receives Young Player of the Year award

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

2005: PGA Tour Events

In September 2012, McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship. He became the first European to win four PGA Tour events in a single season and the only person other than Tiger Woods to win four events in a season since 2005.

August 2006: Won European Amateur

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

2007: Competed for Ireland at European Amateur Team Championship

In 2007, Rory McIlroy competed for Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championship, ultimately defeating France in the final to claim victory.

January 2008: Entered Top 200 of OWGR

On 27 January 2008, Rory McIlroy entered the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the first time.

November 2008: Moved into Top 50 of OWGR

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

2008: McIlroy wins George Best Breakthrough Prize

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

February 2009: First Professional Win at Dubai Desert Classic

On 1 February 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first professional win at the Dubai Desert Classic, which took him to 16th in the OWGR.

2009: First European Tour Win

In 2009, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the European Tour, marking an early career milestone.

2009: McIlroy wins Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year award

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

2009: Tiger Woods had the lowest scoring average

In 2009, Tiger Woods had the lowest scoring average of 68.05.

2010: First PGA Tour Win

In 2010, Rory McIlroy achieved his first win on the PGA Tour, further establishing his professional career.

2010: First PGA Tour Win at Quail Hollow Championship

In 2010, Rory McIlroy shot a course-record 62 in the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship to win his first PGA Tour event, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods to win before age 21.

2010: Ryder Cup Selection and European Victory

In 2010, Rory McIlroy was selected to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup, where the team regained the cup. He also announced plans to return to play full-time on the European Tour.

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 named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year

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

2011: First Major Championship Win at U.S. Open

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

2011: 2011 Season

In July 2011, Rory McIlroy struggled at the Open Championship, finishing tied for 25th. He injured his wrist at the PGA Championship. In October 2011, he won the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, earning the $2 million first-place prize. In December 2011, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open.

2011: U.S. Open Victory

In June 2011, at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy shot a bogey-free 65 in the first round to take the lead. He set a record for the lowest 36-hole total in U.S. Open history (131, −11). McIlroy posted 68 in the third round, setting the 54-hole scoring record at 199 (−14). He won his first major championship title with a final round of 69, finishing with a 72-hole aggregate score of 268 (−16), a new U.S. Open record. At age 22, McIlroy became the youngest winner since 1923, and the victory lifted him to a new career-high fourth in the OWGR.

2012: Improvement after instruction from Dave Stockton

After receiving putting instruction from former PGA Tour player Dave Stockton, Rory McIlroy credited him for the improvements in his putting following his win at the 2012 PGA Championship.

2012: Ascension to World No. 1

In 2012, Rory McIlroy finished second at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He won the Honda Classic, reaching the number one position in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career, becoming the second-youngest man to reach number one.

2012: Ryder Cup Win

In 2012, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where Europe emerged victorious.

2012: McIlroy appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire

In 2012, Rory McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport.

2012: McIlroy wins 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.

2012: Won PGA Championship

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship, adding to his list of major championship victories.

2012: McIlroy wins multiple Player of the Year awards and Vardon Trophy

In 2012, Rory McIlroy won the PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy, and Byron Nelson Award, as well as being voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year and European Tour Players' Player of the Year.

2012: Tiger Woods surpasses $100 million in official PGA Tour earnings

In 2012, Tiger Woods was the first golfer to surpass $100 million in official PGA Tour earnings.

2012: 2012 Ryder Cup and DP World Tour Championship

In September 2012, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, picking up three points for the European team. He arrived late for his Sunday singles match but defeated Keegan Bradley, helping Europe win. In November 2012, he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

2013: Emirates Australian Open Victory

In December 2013, Rory McIlroy recorded his first win of the year at the Emirates Australian Open, beating Adam Scott by one stroke.

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

In 2014, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, where Europe emerged victorious. Also in 2014, he was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for the second time.

2014: McIlroy repeats award sweep and named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

In 2014, Rory McIlroy repeated his 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: Won PGA Championship and Open Championship

In 2014, Rory McIlroy won both the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, marking a successful year in his career.

2014: McIlroy wins 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.

2014: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship Wins

In August 2014, Rory McIlroy won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and then the PGA Championship, becoming one of only three players to win four majors by age 25.

2014: Open Championship Victory

In July 2014, Rory McIlroy won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio García, claiming his first Open Championship and third major championship. This win placed him alongside Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win both the Silver Medal and the Claret Jug at the Open Championship.

2014: 2014 Ryder Cup

In September 2014, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, finishing with a record of 2–1–2 and contributing to Europe's victory.

2015: McIlroy Ranked Number One

In 2015, Rory McIlroy was the number one golfer in the OWGR before winning in May 2020.

2015: McIlroy wins 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.

2015: 2015 Season Highlights

In April 2015, Rory McIlroy finished in solo-fourth place at the Masters Tournament. In May 2015, he won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play event and the Wells Fargo Championship, where he shot a course-record 61.

2016: Irish Open Victory and Olympic Withdrawal

In May 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Irish Open and donated the winnings to charity. He withdrew from the 2016 Summer Olympics due to the Zika virus threat but expressed interest in competing at the 2020 Olympics.

2016: FedEx Cup Win and Ryder Cup

In September 2016, Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship, earning his first FedEx Cup title. At the Ryder Cup in October 2016, he won three points but lost his singles match as the United States defeated Europe.

2016: McIlroy wins the Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy had a victory at the Tour Championship in 2016, marking a significant moment in his career.

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, earning $50 million, with $34 million from endorsements.

September 2018: McIlroy Competes in the Ryder Cup

In September 2018, Rory McIlroy participated in the Ryder Cup, contributing to Team Europe's victory over Team USA with a 2–3–0 record.

2018: Ryder Cup Win

In 2018, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's victory.

June 2019: McIlroy wins RBC Canadian Open

In June 2019, Rory McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open, shooting a final-round 61, and becoming the sixth golfer to win the career Triple Crown.

November 2019: McIlroy wins WGC-HSBC Champions tournament

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

2019: McIlroy's successful start to the PGA Tour season and Players Championship win

In 2019, Rory McIlroy had a strong start to the PGA Tour season, achieving five consecutive top-6 finishes, and won the Players Championship in March with a score of −16.

2019: Won The Players Championship

In 2019, Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship, adding another significant title to his career achievements.

2019: McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year award 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 2021: McIlroy wins Wells Fargo Championship

In May 2021, Rory McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club, marking his 19th PGA Tour victory.

October 2021: McIlroy wins the CJ Cup and earns life membership

In October 2021, Rory McIlroy won the CJ Cup, securing his 20th PGA Tour victory and earning him life membership.

2022: Won Third FedEx Cup

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

2022: McIlroy defends title at RBC Canadian Open and finishes top-10 in all four majors

In 2022, Rory McIlroy defended his title at the RBC Canadian Open and finished top-10 in all four majors for the first time in his career.

2022: McIlroy wins Vardon Trophy

In 2022, Rory McIlroy won the Vardon Trophy for a fourth time, achieving the lowest scoring average since Tiger Woods in 2009.

2023: McIlroy finishes second at the U.S. Open and wins the Genesis Scottish Open

In 2023, Rory McIlroy finished solo-second at the U.S. Open and won the Genesis Scottish Open.

2023: Ryder Cup Win

In 2023, Rory McIlroy played for Europe at the Ryder Cup, contributing to Europe's victory.

2023: McIlroy starts the year strong

In January 2023, Rory McIlroy started the year by winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

2023: McIlroy at the Ryder Cup and wins fifth Race to Dubai title

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

2024: McIlroy wins European Tour Player of the Year award

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: McIlroy wins Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Wells Fargo Championship

In April 2024, Rory McIlroy won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the Wells Fargo Championship, marking his 25th win on the PGA Tour.

2025: Ball speed update

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

2025: McIlroy wins AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Players Championship

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship, becoming the second man to reach $100 million in official PGA Tour earnings.

2025: Won Masters Tournament and Completed Career Grand Slam

In 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament, completing his career grand slam after a 10-year drought in the majors.

2025: McIlroy completes career grand slam at the Masters Tournament

In April 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament in a playoff, completing the career grand slam and becoming the sixth player to win each of the four major championships in the modern era.