Rory McIlroy biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Rory McIlroy was born on May 4, 1989, in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, the only child of Gerry and Rosie McIlroy. Raised Catholic, McIlroy's father introduced him to golf when he could barely walk, and his skill was immediately apparent. McIlroy hit a 40-yard drive at the age of 2, and his first hole in one at age 9. In order to support his golf education, his father worked three jobs and his mother worked extra night shifts, and McIlroy left school at age 16 in order to focus on the game.

Amateur Career

McIlroy began competing when he was a child, and scored his first notable international win in the 9 to 10 age division at the World Championships in Miami, Florida. At age 11, he was shooting level par around his home course's par-69 layout. By the time he won the 2002 Ulster Boys Championship, two years later, his handicap was at scratch.

In 2004, McIlroy was on Europe's winning team at the Junior Ryder Cup, and he played in his first professional event, the 2005 British Masters, at age 15. That same year, his score of 61 and 11-under par set a record at the North of Ireland Amateur Open at Royal Portrush, besting the previous record by three shots. At age 16, he became youngest player to win two events—the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship— and he successfully defended both titles the following year. He took home the 2006 European Amateur title, as well.

Professional Career

With a record-breaking amateur run under his belt, McIlroy commenced setting records in the professional arena. He turned pro in 2007, one day before the British Masters at The Belfry. That year, he became the youngest affiliate member to ever earn a European Tour card. He took home the silver in the Omega European Masters in 2008, and in November, became the youngest player to ever rank among the world's Top 50 golfers.

In 2009, McIlroy picked up his first professional tournament win at the Dubai Desert Classic. Although he competed in both the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2009, he missed the cut for the two majors in 2010, but won the PGA's Quail Hollow Championship that April.

After a strong start at the U.S. Masters in 2011, McIlroy famously bombed the closing round, which took him from a four-shot lead to 15th place. He more than made up for it in the U.S. Open, however, by smashing records and winning his first major title. His score of 268 set a record for the lowest 72-hole total—a record previously held by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus—and his 16-under is the lowest 72-hole total in relationship to par.