Rory McIlroy

Rory Daniel McIlroy is a professional golfer who was born on 4 May 1989 in County Down, Northern Ireland.

A four-time major champion, McIlroy is a member of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. 

He was married to Erica Stoll but in May 2024 confirmed he had filed for divorce. 

The couple share parental responsibility for their daughter, Poppy. 

Early career

McIlroy won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open and followed that with victory at the 2012 PGA Championship.

McIlroy also won the 2014 Open Championship and 2014 US PGA Championship.

McIlroy just needs to win The Masters in order to join an elusive group of players to complete golf's career grand slam. 

Along with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, McIlroy is one of three players who has won four major championships by the age of 25. 

The closest he has come to winning a green jacket came at the 2022 Masters where he finished runner-up to Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy is also a three-time FedEx Cup champion, having won the PGA Tour's season points race in 2016, 2019 and 2022.

He has also won the Race to Dubai on four occasions, making him one of the most successful European players of the modern era. 

McIlroy turned professional in 2007 where he made a name for himself on the European Tour.

He was made to wait two years for his first victory on the European Tour when he took down the Dubai Desert Classic.

First PGA Tour title

McIlroy captured his first PGA Tour title in 2010 at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club.

McIlroy is also an important player for Ryder Cup Europe, competing in seven editions of the biennial event.

As of 2024, McIlroy's overall record in the Ryder Cup was 16-13-4. 

McIlroy was born in 1989 on 4 May in Holyrood, County Down.

He is the only child of Rosie McDonald and Gerry McIlroy. Gerry tutored McIlroy until he met his first coach Michael Bannon.

McIlroy had a distinguished amateur career before he turned professional. 

His wedding day

McIlroy married Erica Stoll in 2017.

Stoll was born in New York in 1988. She met McIlroy while she was working for the PGA Tour in 2011. 

However it was not until McIlroy famously almost missed his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup by oversleeping that the two really hit off. 

Apparently Erica came to his rescue before police rushed him to Medinah. 

The pair welcomed their first child, daughter Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, on 31 August 2020.

Erica and McIlroy tied the know in a lavish ceremony in at Ashford Castle, Ireland, that was attended by celebrities and other high-profile professional golfers. 

McIlroy was previously engaged to tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, but the Northern Irishman called off their wedding in 2014 despite the invitations being sent out. 

LIV Golf feud

In 2022, McIlroy took centre stage as the PGA Tour had to deal with their new rival LIV Golf. 

LIV Golf are backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and those associated with the tour have been accused of sportswashing. 

McIlroy initially decried the new tour that was spearheaded by two-time Open champion Greg Norman. 

The Ulsterman claimed the new tour was "dead in the water" in February 2022 but slowly a number of PGA Tour players joined LIV Golf. 

When this happened McIlroy and the aforementioned Woods reportedly led the PGA Tour players' response to try and fend off their new rival. 

Huge changes were then announced by the PGA Tour, with increased prize purses and guaranteed pay for their members. 

By the time 2024 rolled around McIlroy softened his stance on the rival league. 

He insisted it was ultimately in the best interests of the sport for the two tour's to come together. 

Other business ventures

McIlroy was also named as a co-founder in TMRW Sports with Woods in 2023. 

TMRW Sports was created with the aim of using new tech and new media to help reimagine sports for future audiences. 

Its first creation was called TGL, a tech-fused golf league which will air in partnership with the PGA Tour on Monday evenings in 2024. 

As of 2023, McIlroy's net worth is estimated to be in the region of $170m. 

McIlroy is also has a huge number of sponsors. His two biggest ones are TaylorMade for golf equipment and Nike for clothing. 

He previously used Nike golf clubs but in 2016 the brand stopped making clubs and he switched over to TaylorMade. 

McIlroy also works with GolfPass, Optum and Omega.

His caddie is Harry Diamond.