:Rory McIlroy

Mcllroy was born on 4 May 1989 in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Rory_McIlroy_The_Champion_Golfer/eNGwDwAAQBAJ/ Rory McIlroy: The Champion Golfer.] Worrall, Frank. John Blake, 2014. His mother, Rosaleen "Rosie" McDonald, was originally from Lurgan, County Armagh, while his father, Gerry McIlroy, was from Holywood.{{Cite web |first1=Jilly |last1=Beattie |first2=Gareth |last2=Fullerton |first3=Sheena |last3=McStravick |first4=Marc |last4=Turbitt |title=The Story of Rory |url=http://mcilroy.belfastlive.co.uk/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=mcilroy.belfastlive.co.uk |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123004423/http://mcilroy.belfastlive.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} His parents met while Rosie worked as a waitress at a bar Gerry managed in Belfast and they married at St Colmcille's Church in Holywood in January 1988, both aged 27.Devoted mum who teed Rory up for success, Irish Daily Mail, 26 July 2014 McIlroy was an only child and the family lived in a modest, semi-detached house in Holywood. He attended St Patrick's, a Catholic primary school, until he passed his eleven-plus and gained entry to Sullivan Upper School, a mixed grammar school.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-08 |title=Paul Kimmage meets Rory McIlroy: The truth about the Olympics, close friendship with Tiger and the important things in life |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/paul-kimmage-meets-rory-mcilroy-the-truth-about-the-olympics-close-friendship-with-tiger-and-the-important-things-in-life/35349397.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Paul |last=Kimmage}}

File:Rory McIlroy and father.jpg

McIlroy was introduced to golf at a young age by his father and received a set of plastic clubs when he was two years old. His father was a golfer himself, who once played at a scratch handicap level. On his mother's side, McIlroy's uncle Mickey McDonald was a talented athlete: he played Gaelic football for Armagh GAA, winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship in 1982, and association football for Glenavon F.C. and Cliftonville F.C..{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Peter |date=2022-04-21 |title=Armagh's McDonald recalls his famous winning sideline kick of 1982 |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/795463/armagh-s-mcdonald-recalls-his-famous-winning-sideline-kick-of-1982.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.donegallive.ie}}{{Cite news |date=2022-11-18 |title=Tributes paid to 'Glenavon legend' Mickey McDonald who has died |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/tributes-paid-to-glenavon-legend-mickey-mcdonald-who-has-died/42156037.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first=Brett |last=Campbell}}

McIlroy regularly asked his father to take him to the nearby Holywood Golf Club, where he gained attention by hitting {{convert|40|yard|adj=on}} drives at age three. He practiced chipping at home by hitting balls into the family's washing machine, studied a golf technique video by Nick Faldo and often went to sleep holding a golf club to develop muscle memory of the interlocking grip. At age seven, McIlroy became Holywood Golf Club's youngest-ever member and dreamed of becoming a professional golfer.{{Cite news |last=Siebert |first=Charles |date=2015-03-31 |title=Rory McIlroy Has the Best Swing in Golf |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/magazine/rory-mcilroy-has-the-best-swing-in-golf.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=The New York Times}} He was a self-described "anorak" of Tiger Woods as a child, stating "I was only eight but I watched every hole" of Woods' victory at the 1997 Masters Tournament.{{Cite news |last=McRae |first=Donald |date=2009-04-06 |title=McIlroy a Master in the making when he thinks outside The Box |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/07/golf-rory-mcilroy-masters-interview-major |access-date=2025-04-14 |newspaper=The Guardian}} McIlroy received early tutelage from coach Michael Bannon at Holywood Golf Club.

To fund his golfing ambitions, McIlroy's parents took on extra jobs. Gerry worked 100 hours a week; he cleaned toilets and showers at a local sports club in the mornings, served as a bartender at Holywood Golf Club from 12 to 6 pm, then returned to the sports club to work behind the bar in the evenings. Rosie looked after Rory during the day and worked night shifts packaging rolls of tape at a 3M factory in Bangor, County Down.{{Cite news |date=2011-06-21 |title=Life and hard times of boy who became a golf legend at a stroke |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/golf/article/life-and-hard-times-of-boy-who-became-a-golf-legend-at-a-stroke-b99frwfq7jk |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=The Times}}{{Cite news |last=O’Connor |first=Colm |date=2009-04-30 |title=Tiger tales motivate McIlroy |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/golf/arid-20090635.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Examiner}} Due to their conflicting schedules, McIlroy's parents rarely saw each other during this period. Gerry later said: "I had no idea what else to do. I'm a working-class man. We wanted to give our only child a chance."{{Cite web |last=Borges |first=Ron |date=2011-06-20 |title=Rory McIlroy's father richly rewarded on special day |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2011/06/20/rory-mcilroys-father-richly-rewarded-on-special-day/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Boston Herald}} After finding success as a professional golfer, McIlroy bought his parents a house in 2009, stating: "I'll never be able to repay Mum and Dad for what they did, but at least they know they'll never have to work another day. I'll do whatever it takes to look after them."

Aged nine, McIlroy had his first significant international amateur tournament victory, at the U10 World Championship held at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida.{{Cite news |date=2002-12-12 |title=Golf: Whiz-kid Rory chases glory in Miami |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/golf-whiz-kid-rory-chases-glory-in-miami/28092537.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first=Jack |last=Magowan}} After this win, he was invited by broadcaster Gerry Kelly to appear on the television show Kelly, where he demonstrated his technique of chipping a golf ball into a washing machine for the audience.{{Cite news |date=2006-01-29 |title=Golf: Earning stripes against Tiger.... |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/golf-earning-stripes-against-tiger/28252788.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first=Karl |last=McGinty}} In a 1998 interview with BBC Sport, McIlroy said his ambition was to win all four major championship titles.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/videos/ckg2j2klzqpo |title='I want to win all the majors' - McIlroy to BBC Sport NI in 1998 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}} He became a scratch handicap at age 12,{{Cite news |date=2007-07-19 |title=The real McIlroy |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/6907629.stm |work=BBC Sport |first=Matt |last=Slater |access-date=2025-04-11}} and began to receive mentorship from professional golfer Darren Clarke.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-24 |title=Why tee at mum's is always the best |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/why-tee-at-mums-is-always-the-best/26449175.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Denis |last=Kirwan}} McIlroy decided to leave school in 2005 in order to concentrate on golf.{{Cite news |date=2011-06-30 |title=Rory brings US Open trophy to Sullivan Upper |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-13981397 |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=BBC News |first=Mark |last=Simpson}}

McIlroy won the Ulster Boys' U15 Championship in 2002 and the Ulster Boys' U18 Championship in 2003.{{Cite news |date=2012-09-11 |title=Rory Mcilroy's rise through Irish ranks |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/rory-mcilroys-rise-through-irish-ranks/26896636.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent}} At the age of 15, he was a member of the Irish team at the 2004 European Boys' Team Championship in Finland and the European team which won the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup against the United States on foreign soil in Ohio.{{cite web |url=http://www.pga.com/news/pganews/pgaofamericatournamentnews/jrryder091204.cfm |title=News & Events |publisher=PGA of America |access-date=19 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318012936/http://www.pga.com/news/pganews/pgaofamericatournamentnews/jrryder091204.cfm |archive-date=18 March 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-boys-team-championship |title=European Boys' Team Championship |publisher=European Golf Association |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305200857/http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-boys-team-championship |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/macs-lead-irish-challenge/25900318.html|title=Macs lead Irish challenge |date=1 August 2004 |newspaper=Irish Independent}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2005/0329/191277-mcilroy/ |title=McIlroy sparkles in Sligo |date=29 March 2005 |work=RTÉ}}

In 2005, McIlroy became the youngest-ever winner of both the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship.{{cite web |url=http://indigo.ie/~kands/kands/html/rorclo.html |title=Rory McIlroy the youngest winner of Close at Westport |publisher=Indigo.ie |first=Brian |last=Keogh |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-date=21 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521231324/http://indigo.ie/~kands/kands/html/rorclo.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Eoin |url=http://www.teetotal.ie/2011/05/06/cutler-and-dunbar-lead-irish-close-championship-field |title=Cutler and Dunbar lead Irish Close Championship field |publisher=Teetotal.ie |date=6 May 2011 |access-date=30 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509030916/http://www.teetotal.ie/2011/05/06/cutler-and-dunbar-lead-irish-close-championship-field/ |archive-date=9 May 2012}} He had signed a letter of intent in late 2004 to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University, but after his wins in 2005, he decided to forgo the golf scholarship and continue to play amateur golf in Europe.{{cite web |last=Wolken |first=Dan |url=http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/06/19/061911-sports-wolken-1-3 |title=Prized Recruit: College golf coach reflects on the one who got away |work=The Daily |date=19 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2011}}

At age 16, McIlroy made his European Tour debut in May 2005 at the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters.{{Cite web |last=Mulqueen |first=Charlie |date=2005-05-13 |title=McIlroy loses way in the Forest and almost certain to miss cut |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/golf/arid-10127220.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Examiner}} Two months later, he shot a 61 at the Dunluce Links of Royal Portrush Golf Club, breaking the competitive course record.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4679995.stm |work=BBC News |title=Golfing sensation sets new record |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=4 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204161816/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4679995.stm |url-status=live}} McIlroy represented Ireland at the 2005 European Amateur Team Championship. However, Ireland did not advance to the match-play portion.{{cite news |title=Irish find going tough at Hillside |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/golf-irish-find-going-tough-at-hillside-25982596.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=29 June 2005 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505161300/https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/golf-irish-find-going-tough-at-hillside-25982596.html |url-status=live}} Two years later, he competed for Ireland again at the 2007 European Amateur Team Championship, this time with future Open champion Shane Lowry as one of his teammates. McIlroy was the individual leader in the stroke-play portion and Ireland ultimately defeated France in the final to claim victory. This was Ireland's first title in the championship since 1987.{{cite web |url=https://www.golf.ee/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2007_meeskondlik_EM.pdf |title=2007 European Amateur Men's Team Championship |publisher=European Golf Association |access-date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509100734/https://www.golf.ee/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2007_meeskondlik_EM.pdf |url-status=live}}

In August 2006, McIlroy won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club, near Milan, Italy, which earned him an exemption to The Open Championship the following year.{{cite web |url=http://www.ega-golf.ch/040000/documents/ResultsAmateur2006_000.pdf |title=International European Championship Amateur 2006, Golf Club BIELLA 23–24–25–26 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911112733/http://www.ega-golf.ch/040000/documents/ResultsAmateur2006_000.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2008}} Also in 2006, he represented Europe against the Asia/Pacific team at the Bonallack Trophy in New Zealand,{{Cite news |date=2006-04-26 |title=McIlroy stars as Europe take Bonallack lead in Auckland |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mcilroy-stars-as-europe-take-bonallack-lead-in-auckland/26391298.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent}} represented Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy,{{Cite news |date=2006-09-12 |title=McIlroy leads Irish Cape Town challenge |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mcilroy-leads-irish-cape-town-challenge/26364590.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Liam |last=Kelly}} and retained both his West of Ireland and Irish Close titles.

McIlroy made his first cut in a professional tournament in February 2007, as a 17-year-old at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic. He had to forego prize money of over €7,000 due to his amateur status.{{cite web |url=http://www.imaginegolfclub.com/golfers/rory-mcilroy-8016.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910133525/http://www.imaginegolfclub.com/golfers/rory-mcilroy-8016.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2011 |title=Rory McIlroy, News, Stats, Biography & Tournament Info |work=Imaginegolfclub.com |access-date=30 November 2011}} Following his performance in Dubai, McIlroy rose to number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.{{Cite web |date=2007-02-06 |title=McIlroy moves to top of amateur rankings |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2007/0206/214205-mcilroyr/ |work=RTÉ}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wagr.com/wagr-number-1s |title=WAGR Number 1s |publisher=World Amateur Golf Ranking |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325172021/https://www.wagr.com/wagr-number-1s |url-status=live}} In March, he won the Grey Goose Cup in Sotogrande, Spain, defeating Marius Thorp in a playoff.{{Cite web |date=2007-03-25 |title=Dramatic Cup win for McIlroy |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/dramatic-cup-win-for-mcilroy/26272354.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Karl |last=MacGinty}}

In his major championship debut, at the 2007 Open Championship held at Carnoustie Golf Links in July, McIlroy shot a bogey-free opening round of 3-under-par 68. He ended the tournament in tied-42nd place, ranking as the low amateur and winning the silver medal.{{cite web |title=Open debut has McIlroy dreaming of the Claret Jug |url=http://www.pga.com/openchampionship/2007/news/mcilroy072207.html |access-date=19 June 2011 |publisher=PGA of America |agency=PA Sport |archive-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318012921/http://www.pga.com/openchampionship/2007/news/mcilroy072207.html |url-status=dead}} McIlroy chose to end his amateur career at the 2007 Walker Cup in September, where he represented the Great Britain & Ireland team at the Royal County Down Golf Club.{{cite web |url=http://www.walkercup.org/2007/news/gbiprofiles.html |title=2007 Great Britain And Ireland Walker Cup Team Profiles |publisher=Walker Cup |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524225421/http://www.walkercup.org/2007/news/gbiprofiles.html |url-status=dead}} McIlroy's overall record was {{win-loss record|w=1|l=2|d=1}}, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Billy Horschel, as the United States emerged victorious over Great Britain & Ireland by a score of {{nowrap|12.5{{ndash}}11.5}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.thewalkercup.org/scores.sps?pageid=253 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910205616/http://www.thewalkercup.org/scores.sps?pageid=253 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2007 |title=Walker Cup 2007 Scoring |publisher=Walker Cup |access-date=19 June 2011}}

McIlroy turned professional on 18 September 2007 and signed with International Sports Management. He made his first professional start the following day at the Quinn Direct British Masters,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.golfinternationalmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3053:rory-mcilroy-splits-from-agent-&catid=1:news&Itemid=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425153850/http://www.golfinternationalmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3053:rory-mcilroy-splits-from-agent-&catid=1:news&Itemid=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2012 |title=Rory McIlroy splits from agent |magazine=Golf International Magazine |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=30 November 2011}} where he finished in a tie for 42nd place.{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=34024/results/season=2007/index.html |title=2007 Season |publisher=PGA European Tour |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=20 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820151909/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=34024/results/season=2007/index.html |url-status=live}} In his next start, he finished third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He secured his European Tour card for 2008 the following week by finishing in a tie for 4th place at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano.{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Rory-McIlroy/biography/ |title=Rory McIlroy Biography |work=Monstersandcritics.com |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820040912/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Rory-McIlroy/biography/ |archive-date=20 August 2013}} Aged 18, he became the youngest affiliate member in the history of the European Tour to earn a tour card.{{cite web |url=http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2011/scoring/profiles/index.cfm?id=28237 |title=The 2011 PGA Championship – Profiles |publisher=PGA of America |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=19 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219063227/http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2011/scoring/profiles/index.cfm?id=28237 |url-status=live}} On the 2007 European Tour season, he earned €277,255 and finished in 95th place on the Order of Merit list.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/golf/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=golf/11/08/12/GOLF_McIlroy_Highs__Lows.html&BID=585 |title=Rory McIlroy Highs and Lows |work=Sporting Life |access-date=30 November 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

McIlroy entered the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the first time on 27 January 2008.{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr04f2008.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 4 – 27 January 2008 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403121302/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr04f2008.pdf |url-status=dead}} On 7 September 2008, McIlroy took a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, but finished in a tie for first place with Frenchman Jean-François Lucquin and lost in a play-off.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/07/golf1 |title=Nervy McIlroy misses chance for European Masters success |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 September 2008 |access-date=21 August 2012 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101034518/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/07/golf1 |url-status=live}} McIlroy finished the 2008 European Tour season with six top-10 placements and ranked 79th in the OWGR.{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr44f2008.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 44 – 2 November 2008 |access-date=21 August 2012 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114175159/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr44f2008.pdf |url-status=live}} After finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2008,{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/Week47/owgr47w2008.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 47 results – 23 November 2008 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403121347/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/Week47/owgr47w2008.pdf |url-status=live}} McIlroy moved into the top 50 of the OWGR.{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr47f2008.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 47 – 23 November 2008 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403121400/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr47f2008.pdf |url-status=live}} He ended the calendar year at 39th;{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr52f2008.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 52, 31 December 2008 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320174019/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr52f2008.pdf |url-status=live}} this earned him an invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament.

McIlroy's first professional win came at age 19 when he won the Dubai Desert Classic on 1 February 2009, which took him to 16th in the OWGR.{{cite web |url=http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6626319&itype=421 |title=Week 5 – Kenny Perry Wins The FBR Open And He Claims His Spot in the World Top 10 |publisher=OWGR |access-date=19 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820195523/http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6626319&itype=421 |archive-date=20 August 2013}} At the 2009 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in March, McIlroy reached the quarterfinals, where he lost to eventual champion Geoff Ogilvy.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/players/02/82/37/scorecards/2009/r470.html |title=World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship – Rory McIlroy Scorecard |publisher=PGA Tour |date=28 February 2011 |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604124629/http://www.pgatour.com/players/02/82/37/scorecards/2009/r470.html |archive-date=4 June 2011}} In April, McIlroy made his Masters debut, which was his first major championship as a professional. He finished the tournament tied for 20th place. Of the players to make the cut, he ranked third in average driving distance, beaten only by Dustin Johnson and Andrés Romero.{{cite web |url=http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/stats/drives_avg.html |title=Driving Distance Leaders – 2011 Masters Tournament |publisher=Masters.com |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714045359/http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/stats/drives_avg.html |url-status=live}}

McIlroy then returned to Europe, finishing fifth at the BMW PGA Championship and 12th at the European Open in May.{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=34024/results/season=2009/index.html |title=Results – 2009 |publisher=PGA European Tour |access-date=28 October 2011 |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923224204/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=34024/results/season=2009/index.html |url-status=live}} He played in his second major as a professional at the 2009 U.S. Open, where he shot a final-round 68 to finish in a tie for 10th. In July, McIlroy played in the 2009 Open Championship, his first Open as a professional, and finished T-47.{{cite web |url=https://www.pgatour.com/player/28237/rory-mcilroy/results |title=Rory McIlroy – Results |publisher=PGA Tour |access-date=17 April 2025}} The following month, he tied for 3rd on debut at the 2009 PGA Championship. McIlroy finished the 2009 season ranked second on the Race to Dubai, behind Lee Westwood, and in November he entered the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time.{{cite web |url=http://www.owgr.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6643277&itype=&iCategoryID=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524004928/http://www.owgr.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6643277&itype=&iCategoryID=0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2012 |title=Week 47 – Lee Westwood Wins The Dubai World Championship, The Race To Dubai And Moves To World Number Four, One of Six Europeans in the World Top10 |publisher=OWGR |access-date=30 November 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2009/owgr52f2009.pdf |title=Official World Golf Ranking – Week 52, 31 December 2009 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320174513/http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2009/owgr52f2009.pdf |url-status=live}} McIlroy subsequently announced that he would join the American-based PGA Tour for the 2010 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/6599443/Rory-McIlroys-self-motivating-qualities-makes-him-favourite-for-the-Race-to-Dubai.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/6599443/Rory-McIlroys-self-motivating-qualities-makes-him-favourite-for-the-Race-to-Dubai.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy's self motivating qualities makes him favourite for the Race to Dubai |first=Mark |last=Reason |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=18 November 2009 |access-date=9 November 2010}}{{cbignore}} He ended 2009 by representing Ireland at the 2009 World Cup, alongside Graeme McDowell. They opened with a 14-under 58 in the first-round fourballs,{{Cite news |date=2009-11-26 |title=Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell propel Ireland to golf World Cup lead |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/26/rory-mcilroy-golf-world-cup-ireland |access-date=2025-04-11 |newspaper=The Guardian}} and held a three-shot lead after the third round, but a final-round 70 resulted in a tie for 2nd.{{Cite web |date=2009-11-29 |title=Ireland edged out in World Cup final |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2009/1129/257961-worldcup/ |work=RTÉ}}

McIlroy started the year by finishing third at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January. As the defending champion at the Dubai Desert Classic, he shot a final-round 73 to tie for fifth place.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesportsherald.com/2011/rory-mcilroy-tiger-esque-performer-extraordinary-player-leading-us-open-golf-2011.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627200731/http://www.thesportsherald.com/2011/rory-mcilroy-tiger-esque-performer-extraordinary-player-leading-us-open-golf-2011.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 June 2011 |title=Rory McIlroy – Tiger-esque Performer, Extraordinary Player Leading US Open Golf 2011 |work=The Sports Herald |first= Janhavi |last=Mittal |date=19 June 2011 |access-date=30 November 2011}} On 2 May, McIlroy shot a course-record 62 in the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship to beat Phil Mickelson by four strokes and record his first PGA Tour win.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/news/2010/05/02/final-notebook-quailhollow.html |title=Notebook: Round 4, Quail Hollow Championship |first=Mark |last=Stevens |publisher=PGA Tour |date=2 May 2010 |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729004225/http://www.pgatour.com/news/2010/05/02/final-notebook-quailhollow.html |url-status=dead}} The win came two days before McIlroy's 21st birthday, making him the first player since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event prior to that age.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8657581.stm |title=Rory McIlroy breaks record to win maiden PGA Tour title |date=2 May 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 May 2010 |archive-date=4 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504194922/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8657581.stm |url-status=live }} The win earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/news/2013/player_exemptions.html |title=PGA Tour – All-Exempt Tour Priority Rankings |publisher=PGA Tour |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506000651/http://www.pgatour.com/news/2013/player_exemptions.html |url-status=dead}}

File:Rory McIlroy practicing on the green at the 2010 PGA Championship.jpg]]

At the 2010 Open Championship, held at the Old Course at St Andrews in July, McIlroy tied the course record with a 9-under-par 63 on the opening day.{{cite web |url=http://ladbrokes.teamtalk.com/ladbrokes/golf/story/0,23708,21652_7018481,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425053154/http://ladbrokes.teamtalk.com/ladbrokes/golf/story/0,23708,21652_7018481,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2012 |title=Ladbrokes – The Open |publisher=Ladbrokes.teamtalk.com |access-date=30 November 2011}} He ended the tournament tied for third.{{cite web |url=http://www.enotes.com/topic/Rory_McIlroy |title=Rory McIlroy |publisher=Enotes.com |access-date=30 November 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/8780784/article-McIlroy-rips-a-63-to-start-the-Open |title=McIlroy rips a 63 to start the Open |newspaper=The Herald-Sun |date=20 July 2000 |access-date=8 November 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} In August, McIlroy finished in third-place at the 2010 PGA Championship, one shot outside of a playoff between Bubba Watson and eventual winner Martin Kaymer.

As an automatic qualifier, McIlroy was selected to represented Europe at the 2010 Ryder Cup. He tied his Sunday singles match against Stewart Cink, helping Europe to regain the cup by a score of {{nowrap|14.5{{ndash}}13.5}}. Following the Ryder Cup, he announced in November that he would return to play full-time on the European Tour, although adding that he would continue to play a limited schedule on the PGA Tour.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9169185.stm |title=Rory McIlroy to focus on European Tour rather than PGA |work=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=9 November 2010 |archive-date=10 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110050831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9169185.stm |url-status=live}} McIlroy stated in 2012 that he regretted this 2010 decision to give up his PGA Tour card and skip the 2011 Players Championship. McIlroy's manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour was cited by McIlroy as one of the main reasons for their later professional split.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/01/rory-mcilroy-chubby-chandler |title=Rory McIlroy: Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler led me down the wrong path |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=1 April 2012 |date=1 April 2012 |location=London |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217210749/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/01/rory-mcilroy-chubby-chandler |url-status=live}}

File:Rory McIlroy at the Memorial Golf Tournament.jpg]]

In his first start of the year, McIlroy finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January, eight strokes behind Martin Kaymer.{{Cite news |last=Association |first=Press |date=2011-01-23 |title=Martin Kaymer cruises to Abu Dhabi title and world No2 ranking |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/23/martin-kaymer-abu-dhabi-championship |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In April, McIlroy shot a bogey-free 65 in the first round of the 2011 Masters Tournament to lead the field.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mastersaugusta/8436252/The-Masters-2011-Rory-McIlroy-leads-after-magnificent-opening-round-of-65-at-Augusta.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mastersaugusta/8436252/The-Masters-2011-Rory-McIlroy-leads-after-magnificent-opening-round-of-65-at-Augusta.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Masters 2011: Rory McIlroy leads after magnificent opening round of 65 at Augusta |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=30 November 2011 |location=London |date=7 April 2011}}{{cbignore}} This made him the youngest player at the time ever to hold the first-round lead at the Masters.{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/rory-mcilroy-wins-us-open-youngest-champion-century/story?id=13888448 |title=Rory McIlroy Wins U.S. Open to Become Youngest Champion in Nearly a Century |last1=Elliott |first1=Josh |last2=Murray |first2=Michael |date=20 June 2011 |work=ABC News |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206115847/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/rory-mcilroy-wins-us-open-youngest-champion-century/story?id=13888448 |url-status=live}} He then shot rounds of 69 and 70, giving him a four-stroke lead after 54 holes. In the final round, McIlroy shot an 8-over-par 80, including a triple bogey on the 10th and double bogey on the 12th hole. He ultimately finished in a tie for 15th, 10 strokes behind winner Charl Schwartzel.

In his next major start, at the 2011 U.S. Open held at Congressional Country Club in June, McIlroy again shot a bogey-free 65 to take the first-round lead. He shot 66 in the second round to set a record for the lowest 36-hole total in U.S. Open history (131, −11).{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9515522.stm |title=US Open second round at Congressional as it happened |date=17 June 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=20 June 2011 |first=Peter |last=Scrivener |archive-date=18 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618112753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9515522.stm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.usopen.com/en_US/index.html#!/usopen_today/news/201106171308342491334 |title=Capital Offense: McIlroy (11 Under) Running Away From Field At Midway Point |publisher=USOpen.com |access-date=19 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621072944/http://www.usopen.com/en_US/index.html#!/usopen_today/news/201106171308342491334 |archive-date=21 June 2011 }} He posted 68 in third round, to also set the 54-hole scoring record at 199 (−14).{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/18/us-open-day-three-live |title=US Open 2011: day three – as it happened |date=18 June 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=20 June 2011 |first=Scott |last=Murray |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217210802/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/18/us-open-day-three-live |url-status=live}} In doing so, he built an eight-stroke lead going into the final round. McIlroy shot a final round of 69 to earn his first major championship title, eight strokes ahead of runner-up Jason Day.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/20/rory-mcilroy-us-open?intcmp=239 |title=US Open 2011: Remarkable Rory McIlroy wins by eight shots |date=20 June 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan |location=London |access-date=4 July 2011 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217205208/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/20/rory-mcilroy-us-open?intcmp=239 |url-status=live}} McIlroy's 72-hole aggregate score of 268 (−16) was a new U.S. Open record, breaking the previous record of 272 jointly held by Jack Nicklaus (1980), Lee Janzen (1993), Tiger Woods (2000) and Jim Furyk (2003).{{cite web |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20062011/2/factbox-golf-u-s-open-records-set-champion-mcilroy.html |title=U.S. Open records set by champion McIlroy |date=20 June 2011 |publisher=Yahoo Sports |access-date=4 July 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928200650/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20062011/2/factbox-golf-u-s-open-records-set-champion-mcilroy.html |url-status=dead}} The 16-under in relation to par beat Tiger Woods' 12-under at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2000.{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Expectations-grow-as-McIlroy-tries-to-add-majors-1432023.php |title=Expectations grow as McIlroy tries to add majors |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=20 June 2011 |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}} {{Dead link|date=August 2012|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/usopen/8585393/US-Open-2011-Rory-McIlroy-illuminates-Congressional-with-record-breaking-performance.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/usopen/8585393/US-Open-2011-Rory-McIlroy-illuminates-Congressional-with-record-breaking-performance.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy illuminates Congressional with record-breaking performance |date=20 June 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=20 June 2011 |first=Kevin |last=Garside}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/20/rory-mcilroy-american-press-us-open |title=Rory McIlroy wows American press with US Open triumph |date=20 June 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |location=London |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217211621/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/20/rory-mcilroy-american-press-us-open |url-status=live}} At age 22, McIlroy also became the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923 U.S. Open, and the victory lifted him to a new career-high fourth in the OWGR.{{cite web |url=http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6653901&itype=421 |title=Week 25 – Rory McIlroy Wins The US Open in Record Breaking Style And Climbs To World Number 4 |publisher=OWGR |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=26 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404041805/http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6653901&itype=421 |archive-date=4 April 2012}}

At the 2011 Open Championship in July, he struggled in the tough weather conditions and finished in tied-25th place.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2011-07-16-british-open-rory-mcilroy_n.htm |title=Rory McIlroy struggles to a 74, tries to keep his hopes up |newspaper=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=16 July 2011 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721153000/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2011-07-16-british-open-rory-mcilroy_n.htm |url-status=dead}} He was also a non-factor at the 2011 PGA Championship, where he injured his wrist in the first round after attempting to play a stroke from behind a tree root.{{cite web |url=http://livereport.pga.com/2011/08/11/mcilroy-to-receive-mri-on-wrist |title=The PGA Championship: Day 1 |publisher=PGA of America |first=Brian |last=Wacker |access-date=30 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425114906/http://livereport.pga.com/2011/08/11/mcilroy-to-receive-mri-on-wrist/ |archive-date=25 April 2012}} In October, McIlroy won the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters in a playoff against Anthony Kim, earning the $2 million first-place prize, the highest in golf at that time.{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/7169955/rory-mcilroy-claims-2m-shanghai-masters-playoff |title=Rory McIlroy outlasts Anthony Kim |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=30 October 2011}}{{cite news |title=Shanghai Masters Golf Tournament 2011 Final Round |url=http://realsportingnews.com/shanghai-masters-golf-tournament-2011-final-round/824 |publisher=realsportingnews.com |date=30 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-date=1 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101112218/http://realsportingnews.com/shanghai-masters-golf-tournament-2011-final-round/824/ |url-status=dead}} In December, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open by two strokes.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/golf/top-stories/Randhawa-finishes-29th-at-Hong-Kong-Open/articleshow/10982175.cms |title=Randhawa finishes 29th at Hong Kong Open |date=4 December 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820180943/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/golf/top-stories/Randhawa-finishes-29th-at-Hong-Kong-Open/articleshow/10982175.cms |archive-date=20 August 2013}}

In January, McIlroy finished solo-second at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, one stroke behind winner Robert Rock. At the 2012 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, he recorded another runner-up finish, losing to Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1, in the final. The following week, McIlroy won the Honda Classic, where he shot a final round of 69 to finish two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods and Tom Gillis.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17254076 |title=Rory McIlroy becomes world number one after Honda win |date=4 March 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305004838/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17254076 |url-status=live}} With this victory, McIlroy reached the number one position in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career. Aged 22, he became the second-youngest man to reach number one, behind Woods who achieved the feat at 21.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17255184 |title=Rory McIlroy eager to retain world number one ranking |date=5 March 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305093229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17255184 |url-status=live}}

File:Rory McIlroy 2012 U.S. Open (cropped).jpg in San Francisco]]

At the 2012 Masters Tournament in April, McIlroy was in third place after two rounds, one stroke behind the leaders, but struggled on the weekend with rounds of 77 and 76 and finished in a tie for 40th. In May, he was in contention at the Wells Fargo Championship and went to a playoff with Rickie Fowler and D. A. Points. Fowler won the tournament on the first playoff hole with a birdie.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/07/rory-mcilroy-world-no1-rickie-fowler?newsfeed=true |title=Rory McIlroy is world No. 1 again despite play-off loss to Rickie Fowler |date=6 May 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=6 May 2012 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Chronnell |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217211508/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/07/rory-mcilroy-world-no1-rickie-fowler?newsfeed=true |url-status=live}}

In August, McIlroy won the 2012 PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island Ocean Course. He birdied the final hole to shoot 66 and win by eight strokes, a new record for the largest margin-of-victory at the PGA Championship.{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pga-championship-20120813,0,5513097.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813200249/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pga-championship-20120813,0,5513097.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 August 2012 |title=Eight is more than enough for Rory McIlroy to win the PGA |last=Shain |first=Jeff |date=13 August 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=13 August 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/sports/golf/mcilroy-wins-pga-dominating-another-major.html?_r=1&hp |title=McIlroy Dominates Another Major |last=Pennington |first=Bill |date=12 August 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=16 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816064927/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/sports/golf/mcilroy-wins-pga-dominating-another-major.html?_r=1&hp |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/13/rory-mcilroy-victory-us-pga |title=Rory McIlroy surges to brilliant victory in US PGA at Kiawah Island |last=Murray |first=Ewan |date=12 August 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308230631/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/13/rory-mcilroy-victory-us-pga |url-status=live}} The prior record had stood since Jack Nicklaus won the 1980 PGA Championship by seven strokes. At age 23, McIlroy became the youngest multiple major champion since Seve Ballesteros won the 1980 Masters Tournament.

At the Deutsche Bank Championship in September, McIlroy overcame a three-shot deficit headed into the final round to defeat Louis Oosthuizen by one stroke.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/rory-mcilroys-sigh-of-relief-after-grinding-out-third-success-of-year-in-us-3217921.html |title=Rory McIlroy's sigh of relief after grinding out third success of year in US |first=William S. |last=Callahan |date=4 September 2012 |newspaper=Irish Independent |access-date=5 September 2012 |archive-date=7 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907021228/http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/rory-mcilroys-sigh-of-relief-after-grinding-out-third-success-of-year-in-us-3217921.html |url-status=live}} The following week. McIlroy won the BMW Championship, two strokes ahead of Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19539897 |title=Rory McIlroy wins BMW Championship in Indiana |work=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2012 |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-date=10 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910054607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19539897 |url-status=live}} He totalled 40-under par across the two tournament victories.{{cite news |title=BMW Championship 2012: Rory McIlroy records second win in a week and his third in four events at Crooked Stick |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/9532433/BMW-Championship-2012-Rory-McIlroy-records-second-win-in-a-week-and-his-third-in-four-events-at-Crooked-Stick.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/9532433/BMW-Championship-2012-Rory-McIlroy-records-second-win-in-a-week-and-his-third-in-four-events-at-Crooked-Stick.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=James |last=Corrigan |access-date=9 September 2012}}{{cbignore}} With these wins, 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.

McIlroy topped the qualification standings for the 2012 Ryder Cup, which was held at Medinah Country Club at the end of September.{{cite web |url=http://www.rydercup.com/europe/players/team-europe-profile-rory-mcilroy |title=Team Europe Profile: Rory McIlroy |publisher=Ryder Cup |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226161106/http://www.rydercup.com/europe/players/team-europe-profile-rory-mcilroy |url-status=dead}} He picked up three points for the European team. On the final day, a mix up with his tee time meant that he arrived only 12 minutes before he was due to tee off in his Sunday singles match against Keegan Bradley, after being escorted in by a police officer. He defeated Bradley, 2 and 1, to help Europe record a comeback win by a score of {{nowrap|14.5{{ndash}}13.5}}, in what became known as the "Miracle at Medinah".{{cite news |title=Rory McIlroy barely makes tee time |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/rydercup12/story/_/id/8444955/2012-ryder-cup-rory-mcilroy-needs-ride-police-make-tee-time |work=ESPN |first=Bob |last=Harig |date=30 September 2012 |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226171636/http://espn.go.com/golf/rydercup12/story/_/id/8444955/2012-ryder-cup-rory-mcilroy-needs-ride-police-make-tee-time |url-status=live}} To finish off his season, he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in November, making birdie on the last five holes to beat Justin Rose by two strokes.{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2012/tournamentid=2012092/news/newsid=180755.html#mcilroy+signs+style |title=McIlroy signs off in style |publisher=PGA European Tour |date=25 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127085229/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2012/tournamentid=2012092/news/newsid=180755.html#mcilroy+signs+style |url-status=dead}}

File:Rory McIlroy watches drive flight (crowd, landscape orientation).jpg ]]

McIlroy struggled with an equipment change at the beginning of 2013, having signed a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike in January. He missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January and withdrew from the Honda Classic as the defending champion in February. In April, he finished runner-up at the Valero Texas Open, two strokes behind Martin Laird, and at the 2013 Masters Tournament the following week, he tied for 25th place. McIlroy tied for 41st place at the 2013 U.S. Open, missed the cut at the 2013 Open Championship and tied for 8th place as defending champion at the 2013 PGA Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.rotoworld.com/player/gol/1297/rory-mcilroy |title=Rory McIlroy – PGA Golfer – 2013 Player Profile |publisher=Rotoworld.com |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806221044/http://www.rotoworld.com/player/GOL/1297/Rory-McIlroy |url-status=live}}

As a result of his downturn in form, he dropped from first to sixth in the OWGR.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/24914810 |title=Rory McIlroy says management issues have been a 'distraction' |date=12 November 2013 |work=BBC Sport}} McIlroy recorded his first win of the year in December, at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open. He birdied the final hole to beat Australian Adam Scott by one stroke.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/25173629 |title=Rory McIlroy wins Australian Open by one shot from Adam Scott |date=1 December 2013 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201163905/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/25173629 |url-status=live}}

In January, McIlroy finished runner-up again in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. He was assessed a two-shot penalty for taking an improper drop from a spectator pathway in the third round and ultimately finished one stroke behind the winner Pablo Larrazábal. He said afterwards: "There are many stupid rules in golf and this is one of them."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/mcilroy-denied-win-by-two-shot-penalty?pagewanted=all |title=McIlroy denied win by two-shot penalty |magazine=bunkered |first=Michael |last=McEwan |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018054008/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/mcilroy-denied-win-by-two-shot-penalty?pagewanted=all |url-status=live}}

In March, McIlroy lost in a playoff at the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour. He held a two-shot lead entering the final round, but shot 74 (+4) and lost on the first extra hole, when Russell Henley made birdie.{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/10542765/russell-henley-wins-four-man-playoff-claim-honda-classic |title=Henley wins four-man playoff to claim Honda |date=2 March 2014 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} In May, McIlroy shot a final-round 66 to overcome a seven-shot deficit and win the 2014 BMW PGA Championship by one stroke over Thomas Bjørn. The win was McIlroy's first on either of the two major tours in 18 months.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/10855486/Rory-McIlroy-wins-BMW-PGA-Championship-to-end-emotional-week-on-a-high.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/10855486/Rory-McIlroy-wins-BMW-PGA-Championship-to-end-emotional-week-on-a-high.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy wins BMW PGA Championship to end emotional week on a high |date=25 May 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=James |last=Corrigan |access-date=26 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}

At the 2014 Open Championship held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July,{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Butler |title=Rory McIlroy pledges to 'try and make it a dream come true' at the Open |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/16/rory-mcilroy-im-going-to-try-to-make-it-a-dream-come-true-tomorrow |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=17 July 2022 |date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716222043/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/16/rory-mcilroy-im-going-to-try-to-make-it-a-dream-come-true-tomorrow |url-status=live}} McIlroy led wire-to-wire and won by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio García to claim the first Open Championship and third major championship of his career.{{cite news |last=Hodgetts |first=Rob |title=Rory McIlroy wins third major title at 2014 Open Championship |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/28393535 |access-date=20 July 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2014 |archive-date=21 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721065144/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/28393535 |url-status=live}} The victory put McIlroy alongside Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win both the Silver Medal and the Claret Jug at the Open Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/28396802 |title=Rory McIlroy's Open win puts him on the path to superstardom |work=BBC Sport |first=Rob |last=Hodgetts |date=20 July 2014 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031125632/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/28396802 |url-status=live}}

In his next start, McIlroy won the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, shooting a final-round 66 to beat Sergio García by two strokes. The following week, McIlroy edged out runner-up Phil Mickelson by one shot to collect his fourth major championship victory with a win at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/28735607 |title=US PGA: Rory McIlroy battles back at Valhalla to win his fourth major |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |work=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2014 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924231046/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/28735607 |url-status=live}} In doing so, he joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only three players to win four majors by age 25. After the victory, 18-time major champion Nicklaus said: "Rory is an unbelievable talent. I think Rory has an opportunity to win 15 or 20 majors or whatever he wants to do if he wants to keep playing. I love his swing."{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/uspga/11017479/US-PGA-Championship-2014-Jack-Nicklaus-says-Rory-McIlroy-can-beat-his-record-of-majors.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/uspga/11017479/US-PGA-Championship-2014-Jack-Nicklaus-says-Rory-McIlroy-can-beat-his-record-of-majors.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=US PGA Championship 2014: Jack Nicklaus says Rory McIlroy can beat his record of majors |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=James |last=Corrigan |date=6 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}

At the 2014 Ryder Cup in September, McIlroy played in all five sessions. He finished with a record of {{win-loss record|w=2|l=1|d=2}}, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Rickie Fowler, as Europe won by a score of {{nowrap|16.5{{ndash}}11.5}}.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=2014-09-28 |title=Rory McIlroy's singles win set tone for Europe Ryder Cup victory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/28/rory-mcilroy-singles-win-set-tone-europe-ryder-cup-victory-rickie-fowler |access-date=2025-04-15 |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{Cite news |date=2014-09-28 |title=Ryder Cup 2014: How Europe clinched victory at Gleneagles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/29402336 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=BBC Sport}}

In January, McIlroy finished runner-up for the fourth time of his career at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, one stroke behind Gary Stal. In his second tournament of the year, he won the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic for a second time. At 22-under-par, he matched the tournament's scoring record set by Stephen Gallacher and Thomas Bjørn.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/12262056/rory-mcilroy-wins-dubai-desert-classic-ties-tournament-record-lowest-score |title=Rory McIlroy matches Dubai record |date=3 February 2015 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106035920/http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/12262056/rory-mcilroy-wins-dubai-desert-classic-ties-tournament-record-lowest-score |url-status=live}} He missed the cut in his first start of the PGA Tour season at the Honda Classic. It was his first missed cut on the PGA Tour since the 2013 Open Championship, a streak of 22 consecutive events.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/rory-mcilroy-misses-cut-honda-classic-article-1.2132438 |title=Rory McIlroy fires a 74 to miss cut at Honda Classic - a first since 2013 British Open |date=27 February 2015 |newspaper=New York Daily News |first=Hank |last=Gola |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114175159/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/rory-mcilroy-misses-cut-honda-classic-article-1.2132438 |url-status=live}}

At the 2015 Masters Tournament in April, McIlroy finished in solo-fourth place, a new-best career Masters finish.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/32278605 |title=Masters 2015: Jordan Spieth wins first major with dominant display |work=BBC Sport |date=13 April 2015 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402205152/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/32278605 |url-status=live}} In May, he won the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play event held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, defeating Gary Woodland in the final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/32577219 |title=Rory McIlroy wins WGC Match Play by beating Gary Woodland |date=3 May 2015 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506001954/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/32577219 |url-status=live}} This was his second World Golf Championship and his tenth PGA tour title.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy/11581094/Rory-McIlroy-claims-piece-of-history-with-WGC-Match-Play-triumph.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy/11581094/Rory-McIlroy-claims-piece-of-history-with-WGC-Match-Play-triumph.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy claims piece of history with WGC Match Play triumph |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=4 May 2015 |first=James |last=Corrigan}}{{cbignore}} Later in May, while playing in the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy shot a course-record 61 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.{{cite news |url=http://bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/32770513 |title=Rory McIlroy leads Wells Fargo after course record 61 |date=16 May 2015 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=17 May 2015 |archive-date=8 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108031609/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/32770513 |url-status=live}} He went on to win the championship for a second time, by seven strokes with a tournament record score of 21-under 267.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/32775892 |title=Rory McIlroy's record victory at Wells Fargo Championship |date=18 May 2015 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520014926/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/32775892 |url-status=live}}

A week prior to the 2015 Open Championship in July, McIlroy ruptured his left anterior talofibular ligament while playing soccer. This led to him withdrawing from the Open Championship and the subsequent 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, both tournaments where he was the defending champion.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy/11720493/Is-Rory-McIlroy-out-of-The-Open-World-No-1-ruptures-ligaments-in-his-ankle-kicking-a-football.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy/11720493/Is-Rory-McIlroy-out-of-The-Open-World-No-1-ruptures-ligaments-in-his-ankle-kicking-a-football.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy ruptures ligaments in a football kickabout - and is now a major Open doubt |date=6 July 2015 |first=James |last=Corrigan |newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} He made his return at the 2015 PGA Championship, where he made the cut and finished in 17th place.{{cite web |url=https://www.pgatour.com/player/28237/rory-mcilroy/results |title=Rory McIlroy – PGA Tour – Results – Year: 2014–2015 |access-date=17 April 2025}}

File:Rory McIlroy TOUR Championship.jpg at East Lake Golf Club]]

Entering the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, McIlroy was leading the Race to Dubai standings.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/tour-news/who-can-win-race-to-dubai-83861 |title=Who can win Race to Dubai? |magazine=Golf Monthly |date=18 November 2015 |first=Will |last=Medlock |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223094232/http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/tour-news/who-can-win-race-to-dubai-83861 |url-status=live}} He posted a score of 21-under to win the tournament by one stroke from Andy Sullivan. This was his second victory in the lucrative year-end tournament and his third Race to Dubai title in four years.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/34894212 |date=22 November 2015 |title=World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy wins to wrap up Race to Dubai |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123190409/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/34894212 |url-status=live}}

Chasing his first win of the year, McIlroy took a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in March, but faltered with a two-over-par 74 to finish two shots behind winner Adam Scott.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-slams-very-frustrating-round |title=Rory McIlroy slams very frustrating round |date=7 March 2016 |magazine=bunkered |first=Martin |last=Inglis |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311183336/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-slams-very-frustrating-round |url-status=live}} At the 2016 Masters Tournament, McIlroy was in the final group in the third round alongside Jordan Spieth but shot a five-over 77 and ultimately finished tied-10th. Afterwards, he said he was affected at the Masters by the pressure of trying to complete the Grand Slam.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-affected-by-grand-slam-pressure |title=Rory McIlroy affected by Grand Slam pressure |date=11 April 2016 |magazine=bunkered |first=Martin |last=Inglis |access-date=14 April 2016 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415053802/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-affected-by-grand-slam-pressure |url-status=live}}

In May, McIlroy claimed his first victory of the year at his home Irish Open, a tournament hosted by the Rory Foundation. He finished three strokes clear of Russell Knox and Bradley Dredge and subsequently donated the €666,000 winner's cheque to charity.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-fights-tears-after-irish-open-win |title=Rory McIlroy fights tears after Irish triumph |date=23 May 2016 |magazine=bunkered |first=Martin |last=Inglis |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611014316/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-fights-tears-after-irish-open-win |url-status=live}} McIlroy had qualified to represent Ireland in the golf tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics in August, but withdrew due to the threat of the Zika virus in Brazil and stated he would not watch the tournament.{{cite news |title='I won't watch golf at Olympics, I will watch the sports that matter' – Rory McIlroy |url=http://m.independent.ie/sport/golf/i-wont-watch-golf-at-olympics-i-will-watch-the-sports-that-matter-rory-mcilroy-34877229.html |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Harry |last=Clarke |date=12 July 2016 |access-date=16 July 2016}} Following the tournament, McIlroy admitted he had been surprised at the event's success and said he had been wrong to dismiss the tournament.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2016/08/24/rory-mcilroy-admits-he-was-wrong-about-golf-at-the-olympic-games/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2016/08/24/rory-mcilroy-admits-he-was-wrong-about-golf-at-the-olympic-games/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy admits he was wrong about golf at the Olympic Games |date=24 August 2016 |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |access-date=2 October 2016}}{{cbignore}} He later outlined his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-sticks-by-ireland-after-olympic-realisation-1.3892523 |title=Rory McIlroy sticks by Ireland after Olympic realisation |date=15 May 2019 |newspaper=Irish Times |first=Philip |last=Reid |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202232251/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-sticks-by-ireland-after-olympic-realisation-1.3892523 |url-status=live}}

In September, McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts. He produced a final-round 65 to finish two shots clear of Paul Casey.{{Cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/137m-richer-rory-mcilroy-ends-pga-tour-win-drought-with-storming-65-to-take-deutsche-bank-championship-35023005.html |title=€1.37m richer! Rory McIlroy ends PGA Tour win drought with storming 65 to take Deutsche Bank Championship |newspaper=Independent |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=2 December 2016 |archive-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203124236/http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/137m-richer-rory-mcilroy-ends-pga-tour-win-drought-with-storming-65-to-take-deutsche-bank-championship-35023005.html |url-status=live}} Two weeks later, at the 2016 Tour Championship, McIlroy overcame a two-shot deficit after the third round to force a playoff with Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell, winning the competition with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole. The result earned McIlroy his first FedEx Cup title, along with the $10 million bonus prize.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/26/rory-mcilroy-fedex-cup-tour-championship-ryder-cup |title=Rory McIlroy scoops FedEx Cup glory to give Europe Ryder Cup momentum |date=26 September 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Ewan |last=Murray |access-date=28 September 2016 |archive-date=1 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001074733/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/26/rory-mcilroy-fedex-cup-tour-championship-ryder-cup |url-status=live}} At the 2016 Ryder Cup in October, McIlroy played five matches and won three points, all when paired with Thomas Pieters. In the Sunday singles, he lost to Patrick Reed, 1 up, due to a birdie by Reed at the last hole, as the United States defeated Europe {{nowrap|17{{ndash}}11}}.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/patrick-reed-rory-mcilroy-sunday-singles-match-epic-start |title=Reed Beats McIlroy in Epic Sunday Singles Battle at Ryder Cup |date=2 October 2016 |magazine=Golf Magazine |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-date=18 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018222640/http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/patrick-reed-rory-mcilroy-sunday-singles-match-epic-start |url-status=dead}}

At the end of 2016, Nike announced their withdrawal from the golf equipment market, releasing players from their contracts early. After spending several months trying different clubs and balls, McIlroy signed a $100 million endorsement deal with TaylorMade.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/09/rory-mcilroy-100m-taylormade-players-championship-golf |title=Rory McIlroy signs $100m TaylorMade deal before Players Championship |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Ewan |last=Murray |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714160403/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/09/rory-mcilroy-100m-taylormade-players-championship-golf |url-status=live}}

McIlroy did not win during 2017, the first time he had a winless year since 2008. He was hampered throughout the season by a rib injury first sustained at the BMW SA Open in January,{{cite news |url=https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/mcilroys-mri-shows-recurrence-rib-injury |title=McIlroy's MRI shows recurrence of rib injury |work=Golf Channel |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205044526/https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/mcilroys-mri-shows-recurrence-rib-injury |url-status=dead}} where he lost out on the title in a playoff to Graeme Storm, McIlroy played a limited schedule as a result of injury, although he did record top-10 finishes at both the 2017 Masters Tournament and 2017 Open Championship. In his final start of the season, McIlroy finished tied-63rd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October. He said after the event that he was going to take a three-month break to recuperate from his injuries.{{Cite news |date=2017-10-09 |title=McIlroy plots ambitious haul after injury-marred 2017 |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2017/1009/910909-mcilroy-plots-ambitious-haul-after-injury-marred-2017/ |work=RTÉ}} Having started the year at 2nd in the OWGR, McIlroy dropped to 11th by the end of the year.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/rory-mcilroy-rib-injury-fine-reveals-heart-irregularity/story?id=52320022 |title=Rory McIlroy says rib injury is fine, but reveals heart irregularity issue |work=ABC News |first=Bob |last=Harig |date=13 January 2018 |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201063311/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/rory-mcilroy-rib-injury-fine-reveals-heart-irregularity/story?id=52320022 |url-status=live}}

Late in the 2017 season, McIlroy parted ways with JP Fitzgerald, who had been his caddie since 2008,{{Cite news |date=2017-08-02 |title=Rory McIlroy explains reasons behind decision to split with JP Fitzgerald |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/40808039 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=2017-08-01 |title=JP Fitzgerald has €7m reasons to console himself as long journey comes to end |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/jp-fitzgerald-has-7m-reasons-to-console-himself-as-long-journey-comes-to-end/35987567.html |access-date=2025-04-13 |newspaper=Irish Independent |first=Liam |last=Kelly}} and hired Harry Diamond, a former Irish amateur international golfer and childhood friend of McIlroy.{{Cite news |date=2017-12-08 |title=Rory McIlroy to retain Harry Diamond as his caddie in 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/42283653 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=2019-08-25 |title=Who is Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond? |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/who-is-rory-mcilroys-caddie-harry-diamond/35994337.html |access-date=2025-04-13 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first=Gareth |last=Hanna}} McIlroy said he had been "inundated" with caddie requests, including from Jim "Bones" Mackay and Tiger Woods' former caddie Steve Williams, but decided to opt for Diamond on a permanent basis after a successful trial period.{{Cite magazine |last=Heath |first=Elliott |date=2017-12-08 |title=Rory McIlroy To Keep Harry Diamond As Caddie In 2018 |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/tour-news/rory-mcilroy-keep-harry-diamond-caddie-2018-147384 |access-date=2025-04-13 |magazine=Golf Monthly}}

McIlroy returned after over 100 days away from professional competition at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January 2018. Prior to the tournament, he said he had been diagnosed with a slight heart irregularity but downplayed its impact on his golf.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-plays-down-heart-irregularity |title=Rory McIlroy plays down heart irregularity |date=13 January 2018 |magazine=bunkered |first=Martin |last=Inglis |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120302/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-plays-down-heart-irregularity |url-status=live }} The following week, McIlroy finished runner-up to Li Haotong in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He lost by one stroke, having led by two with five holes to play. It was the 22nd runner-up finish of his career. In March 2018, McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a final-round 64, his first win since the 2016 Tour Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/18/rory-mcilroy-stunning-round-arnold-palmer-invitational |title=Rory McIlroy claims Arnold Palmer Invitational with stunning last round |date=18 March 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Ewan |last=Murray |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327145003/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/18/rory-mcilroy-stunning-round-arnold-palmer-invitational |url-status=live }}

At the 2018 Masters Tournament, which was his tenth Masters start, McIlroy was in the final pairing on Sunday alongside Patrick Reed, three strokes off the lead. McIlroy shot a two-over 74 to finish in a tie for fifth, six strokes behind the winner, Reed.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/masters-2018-rory-mcilroy-comes-up-short-in-his-best-shot-at-the-career-grand-slam/ |title=Masters 2018: Rory McIlroy comes up short in his best shot at the career Grand Slam |work=CBS Sports |first=Kyle |last=Porter |date=9 April 2018 |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071334/https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/masters-2018-rory-mcilroy-comes-up-short-in-his-best-shot-at-the-career-grand-slam/ |url-status=live }} McIlroy was also in contention at the 2018 Open Championship, where he finished runner-up, two strokes behind Francesco Molinari.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/jul/22/the-open-2018-final-round-live |title=The Open 2018: Francesco Molinari wins title on day of drama – as it happened |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Scott |last=Murray |date=22 July 2018 |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003545/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/jul/22/the-open-2018-final-round-live |url-status=live }} In September 2018, McIlroy competed in the 2018 Ryder Cup. He went {{win-loss record|w=2|l=3|d=0}}, including a loss in the Sunday singles to Justin Thomas, as Team Europe beat Team USA {{nowrap|17.5{{ndash}}10.5}} to reclaim the Ryder Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports-story/8936168-europe-wins-back-ryder-cup-beating-us-17-1-2-10-1-2/ |title=Europe wins back Ryder Cup, beating US 17 1/2-10 1/2 |agency=The Canadian Press |website=thespec.com |access-date=29 October 2018 |date=30 September 2018}}

McIlroy started 2019 on the PGA Tour in good form with five straight top-6 finishes, including a runner-up finish in February at the 2019 WGC-Mexico Championship, five strokes behind Dustin Johnson. McIlroy subsequently won the 2019 Players Championship in March with a score of −16. With the win, he joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win four majors and 15 PGA Tour titles before the age of 30.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2019/03/17/players-championship-2019-live-fourth-round-scores-leaderboard/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2019/03/17/players-championship-2019-live-fourth-round-scores-leaderboard/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rory McIlroy silences critics with superb Players Championship triumph |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=James |last=Corrigan |date=17 March 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019}}{{cbignore}}

In June 2019, McIlroy won the RBC Canadian Open. He shot a final-round 61 to win the tournament by seven strokes and became the sixth golfer to win the career Triple Crown (the PGA Tour's three oldest events being the Open Championship, the U.S. Open and the Canadian Open).{{cite web |url=https://rbccanadianopen.com/rory-mcilroy-wins-2019-rbc-canadian-open/ |title=Rory McIlroy wins 2019 RBC Canadian Open |date=9 June 2019 |publisher=RBC Canadian Open |access-date=10 June 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001214054/https://rbccanadianopen.com/rory-mcilroy-wins-2019-rbc-canadian-open/ |url-status=live }} Two months later, McIlroy clinched his second FedEx Cup title by winning the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. The winning payout was $15 million, the largest in golf history.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rory-mcilroy-wins-fedex-cup-largest-cash-payout-in-golf-history-at-tour-championship |website=Fox News |title=Rory McIlroy wins FedEx Cup, largest cash payout in golf history, at Tour Championship |first=Frank |last=Miles |date=25 August 2019 |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825221612/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rory-mcilroy-wins-fedex-cup-largest-cash-payout-in-golf-history-at-tour-championship |url-status=live }} He became the second player to win multiple FedEx Cups, after Tiger Woods (2007, 2009).

In November 2019, McIlroy won the 2019 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff against Xander Schauffele in Shanghai, China. The following month, McIlroy stated that he turned down an invitation to the European Tour's Saudi International tournament in Riyadh, stating that it is "not something that would excite me" and "there's a morality to it as well", in reference to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.{{cite news |url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/uk_national_sport/18090803.mcilroy-admits-morality-played-part-turning-saudi-arabia-event/ |title=McIlroy admits 'morality' played a part in turning down Saudi Arabia event |agency=Press Association |work=Somerset County Gazette |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210135416/https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/uk_national_sport/18090803.mcilroy-admits-morality-played-part-turning-saudi-arabia-event/ |url-status=live }}

McIlroy began 2020 with four consecutive top-5 finishes on the PGA Tour, which, along with his four wins in the previous calendar year, brought him back to world number one in the OWGR for the first time since 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/feb/10/rory-mcilroy-moves-above-brooks-koepka-in-return-to-world-no-1|title=Rory McIlroy moves above Brooks Koepka in return to world No 1|date=10 February 2020|work=The Guardian}} Amidst the suspension of professional tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, secured a win in a charity skins game in May 2020 played under the nearest-the-pin shot rule, as golf returned to television after nine weeks. The event raised around £4 million for relief efforts.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/52704035 |title=Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson win charity skins match in Florida |date=18 May 2020 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=21 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521195619/https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/52704035 |url-status=live }} In July, McIlroy lost his spot at world number one to Jon Rahm.{{Cite web |date=20 July 2020 |title=Jon Rahm overtakes Rory McIlroy for No 1 ranking with Memorial win |url=https://www.golf365.com/news/jon-rahm-overtakes-rory-mcilroy-for-no-1-ranking-with-memorial-win/ |access-date=12 August 2020 |website=Golf365.com |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817111739/https://www.golf365.com/news/jon-rahm-overtakes-rory-mcilroy-for-no-1-ranking-with-memorial-win/ |url-status=live }}

At the delayed 2020 U.S. Open held in September, McIlroy finished in a tie for 8th place. He also recorded a top-5 finish at the 2020 Masters Tournament, which was delayed until November. In January 2021, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. A final round 72 saw him finish in third place, five shots behind eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton.{{Cite news |date=24 January 2021 |title=Tyrrell Hatton sees off Rory McIlroy to win Abu Dhabi Championship |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/24/tyrrell-hatton-rory-mcilroy-abu-dhabi-championship-golf |access-date=18 April 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418171011/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/24/tyrrell-hatton-rory-mcilroy-abu-dhabi-championship-golf |url-status=live }} In May 2021, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club by one stroke, which was his third win at Quail Hollow and his 19th PGA Tour victory.{{cite magazine |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/05/09/pga-tour-rory-mcilroy-wins-wells-fargo-championship/ |magazine=Golfweek |date=9 May 2021 |access-date=9 May 2021 |title=Rory McIlroy overcomes two-shot deficit to win Wells Fargo Championship |first=Steve |last=DiMeglio |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509221020/https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/05/09/pga-tour-rory-mcilroy-wins-wells-fargo-championship/ |url-status=live }}

McIlroy represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in August 2021. He tied for third after 72 holes and lost in a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12176/12369583/tokyo-olympics-xander-schauffele-wins-golf-gold-as-rory-mcilroy-paul-casey-miss-out-on-medals |title=Tokyo Olympics: Xander Schauffele wins golf gold as Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey miss out on medals |website=Sky Sports |first=Ali |surname=Stafford |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801115714/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12176/12369583/tokyo-olympics-xander-schauffele-wins-golf-gold-as-rory-mcilroy-paul-casey-miss-out-on-medals |url-status=live }} In September, he played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The US team won {{nowrap|19{{ndash}}9}} and McIlroy went 1–3–0, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele.

In October 2021, McIlroy won the CJ Cup. He shot {{nowrap|62-66}} on the weekend to win by one stroke over Collin Morikawa. This was his 20th PGA Tour victory, earning him life membership.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/58959761 |title=Rory McIlroy's CJ Cup win built on Ryder Cup singles victory at Whistling Straits |work=BBC Sport |first=Iain |last=Carter |date=8 October 2021 |access-date=19 October 2021 |archive-date=19 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019220243/https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/58959761 |url-status=live }} In November, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, as he sought to become the first player to win the event for a third time. He faltered with a final-round 74 and ultimately finished five shots behind the winner Morikawa.{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-denied-in-dubai-as-collin-morikawa-surges-to-victory-1.4734606 |title=Rory McIlroy denied in Dubai as Collin Morikawa surges to victory |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=21 November 2021 |access-date=21 November 2021 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121131222/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-denied-in-dubai-as-collin-morikawa-surges-to-victory-1.4734606 |url-status=live }}

In January, McIlroy was in contention to win the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic for the third time in his career but hit his second shot into the water on the final hole and missed out on a playoff for the title by one stroke.{{cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/1558104/Rory-McIlroy-Dubai-Desert-Classic-water-Viktor-Hovland-Richard-Bland |title=Rory McIlroy fluffs chance to win Dubai Desert Classic as water hazard catches him out |newspaper=Daily Express |date=30 January 2022 |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130133357/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/1558104/Rory-McIlroy-Dubai-Desert-Classic-water-Viktor-Hovland-Richard-Bland |url-status=live }} At the 2022 Masters Tournament In April, McIlroy shot a bogey-free 64 in the final round to finish as runner-up, a new-best finish at the Masters of his career.{{Cite web |title=Masters 2022: Rory McIlroy enjoys a brilliant finish of 64, but it's too little, too late again |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/Masters-2022-rory-mcilroy-final-round-64-ties-record-augusta |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=GolfDigest.com |language=en}} In May, McIlroy held the first-round lead at the 2022 PGA Championship after opening with a 65. He ultimately finished 8th.{{Cite web |title=PGA Championship 2022: Rory McIlroy's missteps, Bones' impact among final takeaways from Southern Hills |url=https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/pga-championship-2022-rory-mcilroys-missteps-bones-impact-among-final-takeaways-from-southern-hills/amp/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.cbssports.com}}

In June, McIlroy defended his title at the RBC Canadian Open, shooting a final-round 62 to win by two shots ahead of Tony Finau.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12632773/rory-mcilroy-holds-off-justin-thomas-and-tony-finau-to-defend-canadian-open-title |title=Rory McIlroy holds off Justin Thomas and Tony Finau to defend Canadian Open title |first=Ali |last=Stafford |website=Sky Sports |date=12 June 2022 |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612215539/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12632773/rory-mcilroy-holds-off-justin-thomas-and-tony-finau-to-defend-canadian-open-title |url-status=live }} The following week, he finished tied-5th at the 2022 U.S. Open. In July, McIlroy was tied for the lead after 54 holes at the 2022 Open Championship. He shot a final-round 70 to finish third, two strokes behind Cameron Smith. He thus finished top-10 in all four majors for the first time in his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/62200857 |title=The Open: Rory McIlroy's dream becomes nightmare as major wait goes on |first=Tom |last=English |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2022 |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717203051/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/62200857 |url-status=live }}

In August, McIlroy won his third Tour Championship, by one stroke from Scottie Scheffler and Im Sung-jae, to claim his third FedEx Cup victory. This victory surpassed Tiger Woods's two successes and earned McIlroy an additional $18 million bonus.{{cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Doug |title=McIlroy storms from 6 back to win FedEx Cup and $18 million |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-the-masters-xander-schauffele-rory-mcilroy-582bec7aa64c7ae68b754a881f49d646 |work=Associated Press |access-date=28 August 2022 |date=28 August 2022 |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828155534/https://apnews.com/article/sports-the-masters-xander-schauffele-rory-mcilroy-582bec7aa64c7ae68b754a881f49d646 |url-status=live }} In September, he finished tied-second at the BMW PGA Championship, losing to Shane Lowry by one shot.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12695155/bmw-pga-championship-shane-lowry-holds-off-rory-mcilroy-and-jon-rahm-to-claim-wentworth-victory |title=BMW PGA Championship: Shane Lowry holds off Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to claim Wentworth victory |date=11 September 2022 |website=Sky Sports |first=Ali |last=Stafford |access-date=11 September 2022 |archive-date=11 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911174847/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12695155/bmw-pga-championship-shane-lowry-holds-off-rory-mcilroy-and-jon-rahm-to-claim-wentworth-victory |url-status=live }}

In October, McIlroy successfully defended the CJ Cup at Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina. This victory also saw him return to number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, overtaking Scottie Scheffler.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/rory-mcilroy-returns-to-world-no-1-after-retaining-cj-cup-with-classy-final-round-97r0m2cmx |title=Rory McIlroy returns to world No 1 after retaining CJ Cup with classy final round |date=24 October 2022 |newspaper=The Times |first=Angus |last=Oliver |access-date=24 October 2022 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024032101/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rory-mcilroy-returns-to-world-no-1-after-retaining-cj-cup-with-classy-final-round-97r0m2cmx |url-status=live }} In November, McIlroy entered the DP World Tour Championship on the European Tour sitting in first place on the DP World Tour Rankings. A fourth-place finish was enough for McIlroy to maintain his position at the top of the rankings. It was also his fourth Harry Vardon Trophy win.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12751590/dp-world-tour-championship-jon-rahm-earns-impressive-win-in-dubai-as-rory-mcilroy-ends-season-no-1 |title=DP World Tour Championship: Jon Rahm earns impressive win in Dubai as Rory McIlroy ends season No 1 |date=20 November 2022 |website=Sky Sports |first=Ali |last=Stafford |access-date=20 November 2022 |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120125630/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12751590/dp-world-tour-championship-jon-rahm-earns-impressive-win-in-dubai-as-rory-mcilroy-ends-season-no-1 |url-status=live }}

McIlroy started off the year by winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic In January. He birdied the final two holes to beat Patrick Reed by one shot.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12799144/rory-mcilroy-hails-mental-strength-after-dramatic-victory-over-patrick-reed-in-hero-dubai-desert-classic |title=Rory McIlroy hails mental strength after dramatic victory over Patrick Reed in Hero Dubai Desert Classic |date=30 January 2023 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130141545/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12799144/rory-mcilroy-hails-mental-strength-after-dramatic-victory-over-patrick-reed-in-hero-dubai-desert-classic |url-status=live }} McIlroy missed the cut at the 2023 Masters Tournament in April,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/65216791 |title=Masters 2023: Rory McIlroy set to miss cut as Brooks Koepka leads at stormy Augusta |date=7 April 2023 |work=BBC Sport |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619181554/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/65216791 |url-status=live }} and finished tied-7th at the 2023 PGA Championship in May.

At the 2023 U.S. Open in June, McIlroy finished solo-second, one shot behind Wyndham Clark.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/65947172 |title=US Open 2023: Rory McIlroy would endure '100 Sundays like this' to win another major |date=19 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |first=Joe |last=Bradshaw |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619054605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/65947172 |url-status=live }} In July, McIlroy won the Genesis Scottish Open, one stroke ahead of Robert MacIntyre.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12921778/rory-mcilroy-snatches-dramatic-one-shot-victory-over-robert-macintyre-at-genesis-scottish-open |title=Rory McIlroy snatches dramatic one shot victory over Robert MacIntyre |date=16 July 2023 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716134009/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12921778/rory-mcilroy-snatches-dramatic-one-shot-victory-over-robert-macintyre-at-genesis-scottish-open |url-status=live }} The following week, at the 2023 Open Championship, he finished tied-sixth.{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-makes-vow-to-end-his-10-year-major-drought/a1983228487.html |title=Rory McIlroy makes vow to end his 10-year Major drought |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first=Adam |last=McKendry |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724175933/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-makes-vow-to-end-his-10-year-major-drought/a1983228487.html |url-status=live }}

In September, McIlroy played on the European team in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. The European team won {{nowrap|16.5{{ndash}}11.5}} and McIlroy was the top points scorer with a 4–1–0 record, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Sam Burns. In November, McIlroy won his fifth Race to Dubai title; he finished tied-22nd at the DP World Tour Championship, but had already secured the Race to Dubai title before the tournament started. This moved McIlroy to third for most season-long titles won on the European Tour, behind Seve Ballesteros's six and Colin Montgomerie's eight.{{Cite web|url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-dp-world-tour-championship-dfifth-race-to-dubai-win|title=Rory McIlroy knows it wasn't his week in Dubai, but grateful it was his year once more on the DP World Tour|website=GolfDigest.com}}

McIlroy opened his season at the inaugural Dubai Invitational in January. He led by one shot with one hole remaining, before hitting his tee shot on the final hole into the water. He bogeyed the hole while Tommy Fleetwood made birdie to win by one.{{Cite magazine |date=2024-01-14 |title=Tommy Fleetwood tops Rory McIlroy with birdie-birdie finish to win 2024 Dubai Invitational |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/01/14/tommy-fleetwood-rory-mcilroy-2024-dubai-invitational/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |magazine=Golfweek |first=Adam |last=Woodard}} He defended the Hero Dubai Desert Classic the following week, his fourth win in the tournament overall. Trailing by 11 shots entering Saturday, he shot a nine-under 63 to propel him into contention before a final round two-under 70 gave him a one shot win over Adrian Meronk.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-21 |title=McIlroy wins Dubai Desert Classic for record 4th time after reeling in Young in final round |url=https://apnews.com/article/rory-mcilroy-dubai-desert-classic-golf-f2ea853da88b8bcd7b4a8dbc781ea05e |access-date=2024-04-29 |work=Associated Press News}}

After a tepid start to the season on the PGA Tour, including a T22 finish at the 2024 Masters Tournament, McIlroy won his first title of the season in April at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event where he competed alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. They won in a playoff over Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer.{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry win Zurich Classic of New Orleans after play-off drama with Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13125372/rory-mcilroy-and-shane-lowry-win-zurich-classic-of-new-orleans-after-play-off-drama-with-chad-ramey-and-martin-trainer |access-date=2024-04-29 |work=Sky Sports}} This was McIlroy's 25th win on the PGA Tour.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-29 |title=McIlroy and Lowry team up for New Orleans victory. Green repeats on LPGA Tour |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/2024/04/28/golf-capsules/add91c58-05c7-11ef-b60b-a512fc749f9b_story.html |access-date=2024-04-29 |newspaper=Washington Post}} In his next start, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time in his career. He closed with a 6-under 65, playing the final 11 holes in 6-under and won by five strokes over Xander Schauffele.{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Steve |title=Rory McIlroy rallies to win record 4th Wells Fargo Championship title |url=https://apnews.com/article/wells-fargo-championship-cc4aa8d801ae4adb2ba8e49e19f605f4 |work=Associated Press News |access-date=13 May 2024 |date=12 May 2024}}

During the 2024 U.S. Open, McIlroy entered the final round in second-place, three strokes behind the lead. He erased the deficit and had a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau with four holes to play, but bogeyed three of the final four holes, including missed putts from inside four feet on both the 16th and 18th holes, to finish one stroke behind DeChambeau.{{Cite web |title=Rory McIlroy misses two putts inside 4 feet at U.S. Open, extends major drought |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/06/16/rory-mcilroy-misses-two-putts-inside-4-feet-finishes-runner-up-u-s-open-pinehurst-no-2 |date=16 June 2024 |access-date=2024-06-17 |publisher=PGA Tour}}{{Cite magazine |date=2024-06-16 |title=Rory McIlroy just lost the U.S. Open in heartbreaking, agonizing fashion |url=https://golf.com/news/rory-mcilroy-missed-putt-lost-us-open/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |magazine=Golf Magazine |first=Dylan |last=Dethier}} At the 2024 Open Championship, McIlroy shot {{nowrap|78-75}} and missed the cut, extending his major championship drought to ten years.{{Cite web |title=Tiger Woods among notables to miss cut at The British Open Championship Royal Troon |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/07/19/tiger-woods-among-notables-to-miss-cut-at-the-british-open-championship-royal-troon-rory-mcilroy-max-homa |date=19 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-19 |publisher=PGA Tour |first=Cameron |last=Morfit}}

In September, after the Tour Championship, McIlroy turned his attention to the European Tour, recording back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Amgen Irish Open{{cite news |title=Hojgaard birdies last 3 holes to win the Irish Open and hand McIlroy more heartache |url=https://apnews.com/article/mcilroy-hojgaard-irish-open-european-tour-7ac2136ce0a378861df8bd7f51a92fe3 |work=Associated Press News |access-date=21 September 2024 |date=15 September 2024}} and the BMW PGA Championship, in which he lost in a playoff to Billy Horschel.{{cite news |title=Billy Horschel's eagle seals BMW PGA Championship win in playoff with McIlroy |url=https://apnews.com/article/horschel-mcilroy-golf-bmw-pga-championship-3fe6eeefc8e074efc6d001c3d56008db |work=Associated Press News |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=22 September 2024}} In November, at the season's penultimate event, he finished tied-third at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2024/11/10/rory-mcilroy-moves-step-closer-to-sixth-order-of-merit-crown-after-finishing-third-in-abu-dhabi/ |title=Rory McIlroy moves step closer to sixth order of merit crown after finishing third in Abu Dhabi |work=The National |location=United Arab Emirates |first=Paul |last=Radley |date=10 November 2024 |access-date=6 January 2025}} The following week, he won the DP World Tour Championship, also claiming the Race to Dubai title for the sixth time in his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/cvg71xn32xjo |title=McIlroy wins DP World Tour finale & Race to Dubai |work=BBC Sport |first=Sean |last=Kearns |date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024}}

In his first PGA Tour event of 2025, McIlroy won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finishing with a score of −21, beating Shane Lowry by two strokes.{{cite magazine |last1=Schupak |first1=Adam |title=Rory McIlroy wins 27th PGA Tour victory at 'one of the cathedrals of golf' at Pebble Beach |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2025/02/02/rory-mcilroy-27th-pga-tour-title-pebble-beach/78166145007/ |magazine=Golfweek |access-date=3 February 2025 |date=2 February 2025}}

At the 2025 Players Championship, McIlroy shot a final-round 68 to tie for first with J. J. Spaun and entered a three-hole aggregate playoff. McIlroy won the playoff with an aggregate score of +1 to claim his second Players Championship title.{{cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Doug |title=Rory McIlroy takes drama out of playoff to win The Players and build momentum to the Masters |url=https://apnews.com/article/rory-mcilroy-players-championship-tpc-sawgrass-jj-spaun-b094bd24b98c94344c739ead40f960d3 |work=Associated Press News |date=March 17, 2025 |access-date=March 17, 2025}}

In April, at the 2025 Masters Tournament, McIlroy held a two-stroke lead after 54 holes, which was his first 54-hole outright lead at a major since the 2014 PGA Championship.{{Cite news |last=Herzig |first=Gabby |date=2025-04-13 |title=This Masters is now Rory McIlroy's biggest test |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6275155/2025/04/12/masters-2025-rory-mcilroy-mental/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He shot a 1-over 73 in the final round while Justin Rose birdied six of his final eight holes to force a playoff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c3evny5kpv2o|title=Masters 2025: Rory McIlroy beats Justin Rose in play-off to clinch career Grand Slam|date=13 April 2025|website=BBC Sport}} McIlroy birdied the first playoff hole to win his first Masters and complete the career grand slam. He became the sixth player, after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to win each of the four major championships in the modern era.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-13 |title=Rory coaster ride nets Masters win, career Slam |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/44662310/rory-mcilroy-wins-masters-playoff-earn-career-grand-slam |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

At the 2005 Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards, McIlroy received the Young Player of the Year award.{{Cite news |date=2013-01-18 |title=Sports Star of the Year winner: Rory McIlroy |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/events/sports-star-of-the-year-winner-rory-mcilroy/29016135.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} He also won the 2008 George Best Breakthrough Prize and the 2009 Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year award.{{Cite news |date=2010-01-19 |title=McIlroy creates a little piece of sporting history |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mcilroy-creates-a-little-piece-of-sporting-history/28512220.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}''

In recognition of his win at the 2011 U.S. Open, McIlroy was named the 2011 RTÉ Sports Person of the Year{{Cite journal |date=2011-12-19 |title=McIlroy, Leinster and Trap win RTÉ awards |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/2011/1219/288863-sportsperson/ |language=en}} and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.{{Cite news |date=2011-12-16 |title=Rory McIlroy is named BBC NI Sport Personality of 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/northern-ireland/16226050 |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He also received the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year,{{cite news |title=Rory McIlroy 'honoured' to be nominated for Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award |url=https://www.laureus.com/news/rory-mcilroy-honoured-be-nominated-laureus-sportsman-year-award |publisher=Laureus |date=3 October 2016 |access-date=3 October 2016 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191832/https://www.laureus.com/news/rory-mcilroy-honoured-be-nominated-laureus-sportsman-year-award |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2012-02-07 |title=Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy among Laureus award winners |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/16924498 |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to sport.{{London Gazette|issue=60009|date=31 December 2011|page=19 |supp=y}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/16364899.stm |title=OBE for Darren Clarke and MBE for Rory McIlroy in New Year Honours list |work=BBC Sport |access-date=31 December 2011 |archive-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330124450/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/16364899 |url-status=live }}

In 2012, McIlroy won the PGA Player of the Year and PGA Tour Player of the Year awards, as well as the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award.{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=USA TODAY |title=No surprise here: Rory McIlroy PGA Tour player of year |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2012/12/04/pga-tour-player-of-the-year-rory-mcilroy/1744805/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Another player of the year award for Rory McIlroy |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2012/12/19/rory-mcilroy-wins-golf-writers-player-of-the-year/1779819/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} He was also voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year and European Tour Players' Player of the Year in 2012. He repeated this award sweep in 2014.{{Cite journal |date=2015-05-20 |title=McIlroy honoured with golfer of the year awards |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2015/0520/702423-rory-mcilroy-golfer-of-the-year/ |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=McIlroy named European Tour Golfer of the Year |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-named-european-tour-golfer-of-the-year-for-2014-after-victories-at-the-open-and-the-us-pga-championship-9927905.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220707122213/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-named-european-tour-golfer-of-the-year-for-2014-after-victories-at-the-open-and-the-us-pga-championship-9927905.html |archive-date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}} Also in 2014, he was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for a second time,{{Cite journal |date=2014-12-19 |title=Rory McIlroy named RTÉ Sport - Person of the Year |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2014/1219/668027-rte-sport-awards/ |language=en}} and BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for a third time.{{Cite news |date=2014-12-15 |title=Rory McIlroy is named BBC NI's Sports Personality of 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/30483144 |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

McIlroy has won the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading the Official World Golf Ranking for the most weeks in a calendar year three times: 2012, 2014 and 2015.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-30 |title=Rory wins McCormack Award for No. 1 ranking |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/golf/story/_/id/12097676/rory-mcilroy-wins-mccormack-award-no-1-ranking |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Official World Golf Ranking |url=https://www.owgr.com/news/2020/august/press-release |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=OWGR}} In 2019, he won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award and the Vardon Trophy for the third time.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/rory-mcilroy-earns-third-pga-tour-player-of-the-year-award-by-beating-out-brooks-koepka/ |website=CBS Sports |title=Rory McIlroy earns third PGA Tour Player of the Year award by beating out Brooks Koepka |date=11 September 2019 |access-date=11 September 2019 |first=Kyle |last=Porter |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914050835/https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/rory-mcilroy-earns-third-pga-tour-player-of-the-year-award-by-beating-out-brooks-koepka/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Ewan |date=2019-08-26 |title=Rory McIlroy plays down the money factor after FedEx Cup success |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/aug/26/rory-mcilroy-money-factor-fedex-cup |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=In an upset, Rory McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year over Brooks Koepka |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-wins-pga-tour-player-of-the-year |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}} In 2022, McIlroy won the Vardon Trophy for a fourth time. His scoring average of 68.67 was the lowest since Tiger Woods' 68.05 in 2009.{{Cite web |last=Jourdan |first=Cameron |title=Who had the lowest scoring averages on the PGA Tour in 2021-22? |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2022/09/02/pga-tour-lowest-scoring-averages-2021-22-season-rory-mcilroy/76437923007/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}} In 2024, McIlroy won the European Tour Player of the Year award, now renamed the Seve Ballesteros Award, for the fourth time in his career.{{Cite web |title=McIlroy secures 'special' Steve award and Player of the Year title|url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12040/13289346/rory-mcilroy-wins-seve-ballesteros-award-and-voted-dp-world-tour-player-of-the-year-for-2024-race-to-dubai-season}}

File:Rory McIlroy USGA.png

Despite his modest stature at {{convert|5|ft|9|in}}, McIlroy has consistently been among the longest drivers in professional golf throughout his career.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Rory McIlroy shares his secret for hitting bombs off the tee |url=https://golf.com/instruction/driving/rory-mcilroy-secret-bombs-off-tee/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Jordan |date=2024-11-12 |title=Rory McIlroy has pointed out the mistake he sees many amateurs make with driver and explained how to fix it |url=https://www.thegolfinggazette.com/features/rory-mcilroy-suggests-what-he-sees-plenty-of-amateurs-do-with-the-driver-which-costs-them-so-much-distance/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=The Golfing Gazette |language=en-GB}} He had a "grip-it-and-rip-it" style with a long, fluid swing when he first came out on tour;{{Cite web |date=2015-06-01 |title=Rory McIlroy's Secrets to a Better Life (and a Better Golf Game) |url=https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19544379/get-ripped-like-rory-mcilroy/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Men's Health |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Donegan |first=Lawrence |date=2010-02-08 |title=Rory McIlroy's rapid rise put in doubt by back injury |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/08/rory-mcilroy-back-injury |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} he began to experience back problems by the age of 19 and required the use of heavy strapping and anti-inflammatory medication while playing.{{Cite news |last=Crouse |first=Karen |date=2016-04-07 |title=The Achilles' Heel of Too Many Golfers: A Bad Back |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/sports/golf/the-achilles-heel-of-too-many-golfers-a-bad-back.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2010-02-09 |title=McIlroy still missing finishing touches |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mcilroy-still-missing-finishing-touches/26630824.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} He was warned by a doctor that he likely would develop a stress fracture in his back if he did not change his approach.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-28 |title=Rory McIlroy: This is why I started working out |url=https://golf.com/instruction/fitness/rory-mcilroy-this-is-why-i-started-working-out/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Golf |language=en-US}} He then began to work with exercise physiologist Stephen McGregor, who noted imbalances in McIlroy's body: "He couldn't stand on one leg. He didn't have support and stability in his shoulders. ... He was very arm-speed-dominated in his golf swing, as a lot of young players are, trying to generate as much speed as they can to launch the golf ball." McGregor, along with McIlroy's long-time coach Michael Bannon,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18448818 |title=Rory McIlroy's coach Michael Bannon to go full-time |date=14 June 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616125825/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18448818 |url-status=live }} set about rebuilding McIlroy's swing. He started a strict workout regimen, focused on developing strength in his legs and core to generate speed from the ground up and reduce strain on the back. As a result, his clubhead speed became faster than before. As of 2025, McIlroy is capable of producing over {{convert|190|mph}} ball speed.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=Rory McIlroy's advice for 'really going after one' with driver? 4 moves |url=https://golf.com/news/rory-mcilroys-advice-after-one-driver-4-moves/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}

McIlroy struggled with his putting at the start of his career and began to work with specialist coach Paul Hurrion in 2008, who stated that McIlroy was overly reliant on hand-eye coordination when putting.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/guru-wars |title=Guru Wars: Some candid talk about the short game and putting from Dave Stockton, Dave Pelz and Stan Utley |last=Diaz |first=Jaime |date=29 June 2010 |magazine=Golf Digest |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-date=13 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113031653/https://www.golfdigest.com/story/guru-wars |url-status=live }} McIlroy also was introduced to Bob Rotella's book Putting Out of Your Mind in late 2009.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Denis |date=2010-01-24 |title=Rory McIlroy's major mission |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/golf/article/rory-mcilroys-major-mission-kdz8h33d6gq |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} McIlroy later obtained putting instruction from former PGA Tour player Dave Stockton and credited him after winning the 2012 PGA Championship for the improvements in his putting.{{Cite web |date=2012-08-13 |title=McIlroy credits Stockton after PGA win |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/rory-mcilroy-credits-dave-stockton-after-pga-championship-win |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kidd |first=Patrick |date=2012-09-28 |title=Dave Stockton is the key to unlocking Rory McIlroy's inner strength |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/dave-stockton-is-the-key-to-unlocking-rory-mcilroys-inner-strength-l7b7k9jvmc5 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} McIlroy underwent laser eye surgery in 2015, having previously used contact lenses while on the course. He said "I've always felt I struggled reading greens. I've always struggled with my eyes, especially in the summer with hayfever, when you're rubbing your eyes and sometimes things would get under the contact lens," and that after the surgery he had "better than 20/20 vision".{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Ewan |date=2015-12-25 |title=Rory McIlroy glad not to worry about lenses: 'It has to help putting' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/25/rory-mcilroy-laser-eye-surgery-spieth-olympics |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Since 2018, former PGA Tour player Brad Faxon has been McIlroy's putting coach. Faxon was known as one of the best putters on tour during his career.{{cite web | url=https://golf.com/instruction/putting/how-golfs-greatest-putter-helped-rory-mcilroy/ | title=How one of golf's greatest putters helped Rory McIlroy find his feel | date=16 June 2022 }}

McIlroy has been regarded as one of the most marketable athletes in the world since early on in his career.{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Video-Golf-Riches---Rory-McIlroy-Wins-US-Open-Championship-22-Year-Old-Youngest-Winner-Since-1923/Article/200908316015008?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_16015008_Video%3A_Golf_Riches_-_Rory_McIlroy_Wins_US_Open_Championship%2C_22-Year-Old_Youngest_Winner_Since_1923 |title=Rory McIlroy Tipped For Golfing Riches |publisher=Sky News |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330124447/https://news.sky.com/?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_16015008_Video%3A_Golf_Riches_-_Rory_McIlroy_Wins_US_Open_Championship%2C_22-Year-Old_Youngest_Winner_Since_1923 |url-status=live }} He was an ambassador for hotel chain Jumeirah from 2007 to 2012,{{cite magazine |magazine=Golf Magazine |title=Jumeirah Group ends sponsorship with Rory McIlroy |date=8 January 2013 |access-date=2019-03-17 |url=https://www.golf.com/ap-news/jumeirah-group-ends-sponsorship-mcilroy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211012659/https://www.golf.com/ap-news/jumeirah-group-ends-sponsorship-mcilroy |archive-date=11 February 2013}} and signed a multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement with Santander Bank in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Michael |date=2011-09-23 |title=Santander banking on success with Rory McIlroy |url=https://www.sportspro.com/news/santander_banking_on_success_with_rory_mcilroy/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}} SportsPro rated him at third, behind Neymar and Lionel Messi, in their 2013 list of the world's most marketable athletes.[http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable/rory_mcilroy/ "50 Most Marketable Athletes 2013 – 3.Rory McIlroy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728075956/http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable/rory_mcilroy/ |date=28 July 2014 }}. Sportspro. Retrieved 18 July 2014 In 2013, McIlroy signed a 10-year endorsement deal with Nike worth up to $250 million, whereby he agreed to be a brand ambassador for their golf clubs, balls and apparel.{{Cite news |date=2013-01-14 |title=Rory McIlroy, Nike and the $250m, 10-year sponsorship deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/21018786 |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} According to Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business strategy and marketing at Coventry University, Nike viewed McIlroy as their successor to Tiger Woods, who was struggling on and off the course at the time.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Chris |date=2013-01-14 |title=Nike unveils Rory McIlroy: Tiger's heir apparent |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/14/sport/golf/golf-woods-mcilroy-nike/index.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=CNN |language=en}} Also in that year, McIlroy signed endorsement deals with Bose and Omega.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-is-said-to-be-leaving-horizon-sports-management.html?_r=0 |title=McIlroy Charts a New Path, Again |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Karen |last=Crouse |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=31 July 2013 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228054618/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-is-said-to-be-leaving-horizon-sports-management.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }} In 2015, McIlroy became the namesake for the EA Sports' video game Rory McIlroy PGA Tour, replacing Tiger Woods, who had been the previous namesake for the series from 1998 to 2013.{{cite web |title=EA Sports' golf video game returns as Rory McIlroy PGA Tour (update) |date=16 March 2015 |first=Owen S. |last=Good |website=Polygon |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/16/8225953/rory-mcilroy-pga-tour-launch-date-xbox-one-ps4-ea-sports |access-date=12 April 2015 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317143536/http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/16/8225953/rory-mcilroy-pga-tour-launch-date-xbox-one-ps4-ea-sports |url-status=live }} In 2017, McIlroy signed a 10-year, $200-million contract extension with Nike for apparel only, after Nike exited the golf equipment business, allowing him to additionally sign a 10-year, $100-million equipment deal with TaylorMade to use their clubs, ball and bag.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/09/rory-mcilroy-100m-taylormade-players-championship-golf |title=Rory McIlroy signs $100m TaylorMade deal before Players Championship |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Ewan |last=Murray |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=9 May 2017 |archive-date=9 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509172206/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/09/rory-mcilroy-100m-taylormade-players-championship-golf |url-status=live }}

After the emergence of LIV Golf in 2022, McIlroy became a vocal opponent of the Saudi-funded league and some of the prominent individuals associated with it, such as Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson.{{Cite web |last=Schupak |first=Adam |title=Rory McIlroy: Phil Mickelson's comments about 'dead in the water' Saudi Golf League 'naïve, selfish, egotistical, ignorant' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2022/02/20/rory-mcilroy-rips-phil-mickelson-greg-norman-saudi-golf-league/49841531/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Sports Business Journal stated that McIlroy "took on the unofficial role as face of the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf".{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title=Golf's most marketable players |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/04/07/golfs-most-marketable-players/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} McIlroy criticised the league for having "ripped apart" the game of professional golf.{{Cite web |last=Ronald |first=Patrick Snell,Issy |date=2022-08-29 |title=Rory McIlroy condemns LIV Golf for 'ripping the game apart' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/29/sport/rory-mcilroy-liv-golf-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=CNN |language=en}} Before the start of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January 2023, McIlroy was approached by LIV golfer Patrick Reed while on the practice range. He refused to talk to Reed, stating afterwards when asked in a press conference that Reed had sent a lawyer to serve him a subpoena on the Christmas Eve prior as part of an anti-trust lawsuit.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/25/rory-mcilroy-defends-blanking-patrick-reed-dubai-tee-throwing-incident-golf |title=Rory McIlroy defends blanking Patrick Reed in Dubai tee-throwing incident |first=Ewan |last=Murray |date=25 January 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=9 April 2023 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406160248/https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/25/rory-mcilroy-defends-blanking-patrick-reed-dubai-tee-throwing-incident-golf |url-status=live }} In June 2023, after the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement for a potential merger with LIV Golf, McIlroy said that he felt like a "sacrificial lamb" due to his support of the PGA Tour.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title='I still hate LIV:' Rory McIlroy tries to find hope in humiliation of PGA Tour-LIV merger |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/i-still-hate-liv-rory-mcilroy-tries-to-find-hope-in-humiliation-of-pga-tour-liv-merger-141426923.html |first=Jay |last=Busbee |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607143657/https://sports.yahoo.com/i-still-hate-liv-rory-mcilroy-tries-to-find-hope-in-humiliation-of-pga-tour-liv-merger-141426923.html |url-status=live }} He maintained that "If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire."{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Ben |date=2024-02-09 |title=From 'Dead In The Water' To 'Let Them Come Back' - What Rory McIlroy Has Said About LIV Golf Since The Rival Tour's Inception |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/from-dead-in-the-water-to-let-them-come-back-what-rory-mcilroy-has-said-about-liv-golf-since-the-rival-tours-inception |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Golf Monthly Magazine |language=en}} McIlroy softened his stance against LIV Golf in 2024, stating that he had been "a little judgemental" towards golfers who left the PGA Tour to join LIV, adding "I wouldn't say I've lost the fight against LIV, but I've just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now."{{Cite web |date=2024-01-03 |title=McIlroy: I was too 'judgmental' of LIV defectors |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/39234251/rory-mcilroy-says-was-too-judgmental-liv-defectors |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

McIlroy was raised Catholic and has self-identified as Irish,[http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/mcilroy-timeline-road-to-long-awaited-decision-1.1837116 "McIlroy timeline: Road to long-awaited decision"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619051012/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/mcilroy-timeline-road-to-long-awaited-decision-1.1837116 |date=19 June 2014 }}. The Irish Times (Dublin). 19 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014. Northern Irish, and British.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/news/2009/03/04/wednesday_transcript_mcilroy.html |title=What they said: Rory McIlroy |publisher=PGA Tour |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729004202/http://www.pgatour.com/news/2009/03/04/wednesday_transcript_mcilroy.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2012/0910/337038-mcilroy-drops-great-britain-olympics-hint/ |title=Rory McIlroy hints he will play for Great Britain at Rio 2016 Olympics |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=10 September 2012 |access-date=10 September 2012 |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912195608/http://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2012/0910/337038-mcilroy-drops-great-britain-olympics-hint |url-status=live }} He carries a British passport,{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/news/2010/05/02/transcript-mcilroy.html |title=What they said: Rory McIlroy |publisher=PGA Tour |date=2 May 2010 |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729001329/http://www.pgatour.com/news/2010/05/02/transcript-mcilroy.html |url-status=live }} although he usually is reluctant to discuss his nationality at length.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/sports/golf/northern-irelands-mcilroy-transcends-boundaries.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Niall |last=Stanage |title=Northern Ireland's McIlroy Transcends Boundaries |date=10 July 2011 |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715090242/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/sports/golf/northern-irelands-mcilroy-transcends-boundaries.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2012/0910/337085-mcilroy-putting-cultural-identity-on-backburner/ |title=Rory McIlroy in no rush to pledge allegiance to Ireland or Britain ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics |work=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=11 September 2012 |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912200445/http://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2012/0910/337085-mcilroy-putting-cultural-identity-on-backburner |url-status=live }} During the Troubles, McIlroy's granduncle Joe McIlroy was shot to death by the Ulster Volunteer Force in a sectarian attack at his home in November 1972, after he moved his Catholic family into the predominantly-Protestant area of Orangefield, Belfast.{{Cite news |date=2012-08-14 |title=Rory McIlroy: The Holywood lad who made everyone proud on his journey from junior prodigy to golfing superstar |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-the-holywood-lad-who-made-everyone-proud-on-his-journey-from-junior-prodigy-to-golfing-superstar/28781265.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |last=Siebert |first=Charles |date=2015-03-31 |title=Rory McIlroy Has the Best Swing in Golf |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/magazine/rory-mcilroy-has-the-best-swing-in-golf.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Police-to-re-examine-evidence-in-sectarian-murder-of-Rory-McIlroys-uncle-124586274.html |title=Police to re-examine evidence in sectarian murder of Rory McIlroy's uncle |work=Irishcentral.com |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104120419/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Police-to-re-examine-evidence-in-sectarian-murder-of-Rory-McIlroys-uncle-124586274.html |url-status=live }} Despite this family trauma, McIlroy's parents refused to become embittered. McIlroy attended a mixed school that was majority Protestant and stated his Catholic background "was never an issue". Regarding the Troubles, McIlroy said in 2012: "I haven't talked about it with my parents. I don’t want to be defined by that. It’s not how my generation thinks."{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Matt |date=2012-09-17 |title=Rory McIlroy forced to be diplomatic as Olympic question stays unresolved |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/rory-mcilroy-forced-to-be-diplomatic-as-olympic-question-stays-unresolved-xhmlzk63z9l |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Crouse |first=Karen |date=2013-07-13 |title=McIlroy, a Native Son, Divides Ireland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/sports/golf/mcilroy-a-native-son-divides-ireland.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

As golf was named an Olympic sport for the first time since 1904 at the 2016 Summer Olympics, McIlroy was regularly questioned whether he would represent Great Britain or Ireland. He stated in 2013: "I feel Northern Irish and obviously being from Northern Ireland you have a connection to Ireland and a connection to the UK. If I could and there was a Northern Irish team I'd play for Northern Ireland. Play for one side or the other – or not play at all because I may upset too many people ... Those are my three options I'm considering very carefully."{{Cite web |date=2013-01-03 |title=McIlroy could skip Olympics, not choose country |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/8809039/rory-mcilroy-undecided-which-flag-rio-olympics-says-report |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20896990 |title=Rory McIlroy: I may not play in Rio Olympics |work=BBC News |date=3 January 2013 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103184539/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20896990 |url-status=live }} On the eve of the 2014 Irish Open, he declared that he would represent Ireland at the Olympics.{{Cite news |date=2014-06-18 |title=Rory McIlroy opts to play for Ireland at the 2016 Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/27906964 |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Lowe |first=Alex |date=2014-06-19 |title=Rory McIlroy declares his allegiance to Ireland over GB for Olympics |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/northern-ireland-travel/rory-mcilroy-declares-his-allegiance-to-ireland-over-gb-for-olympics-f832r9wccqr |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}

In 2009, McIlroy bought a house in Moneyreagh, a small village south of Belfast.{{Cite web |date=2009-05-12 |title=McIlroy dreaming of home run |url=https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2009/5/12/mcilroy-dreaming-of-home-run.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Irish Golf Desk |language=en-IE}} The house sat on a 13-acre plot of land, where he had a custom-made practice facility and a scaled-down association football pitch.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/14013084.stm |title=Sneak a peek at Rory McIlroy's backyard course |work=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2011 |access-date=26 September 2012 |archive-date=28 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128175122/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/14013084.stm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Peter |date=2011-04-11 |title=How it all began for the young man who dreamed of stardom |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/northern-ireland-travel/how-it-all-began-for-the-young-man-who-dreamed-of-stardom-52n8wbxswd6 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} McIlroy hired security guards for the property after he won the 2011 U.S. Open, as the increased attention led to strangers driving up his driveway. He said he began to feel like he was living in a goldfish bowl.{{Cite news |date=2011-08-09 |title=Rory McIlroy's security to keep out public |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rory-mcilroys-security-to-keep-out-public/28644576.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=Belfast Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} In September 2012, the house was put up for sale for a price of £2 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19671670 |title=Rory McIlroy puts Northern Ireland home up for sale for £2m |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=26 September 2012 |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923224315/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19671670 |url-status=live }} In December 2012, McIlroy purchased a $10-million property in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, located close to Jack Nicklaus' Bear's Club.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/report-rory-mcilroy-buys-swanky-10-9-million-004417253--golf.html |title=Rory McIlroy buys swanky $10.9 million home in Florida |first=Jonathan |last=Wall |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=14 January 2013 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107115459/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/report-rory-mcilroy-buys-swanky-10-9-million-004417253--golf.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/report-mcilroy-to-purchase-10-million-florida-home/ |title=McIlroy to purchase $10.9 million Florida home |work=Golf Channel |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=14 January 2013 |archive-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113041740/http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/report-mcilroy-to-purchase-10-million-florida-home/? |url-status=dead }} McIlroy has also maintained residences in Monaco and Dubai.{{Cite web |last=Coyle |first=Colin |date=2015-03-29 |title=McIlroy banks on luxury bunker in desert kingdom |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/middle-east-travel/uae/dubai/mcilroy-banks-on-luxury-bunker-in-desert-kingdom-xtnlx95jndw |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} In 2024, McIlroy took delivery of a Gulfstream G650ER, a private jet. He previously owned a Bombardier Challenger 605.{{Cite web |author=Staff reporter |date=2024-10-28 |title=McIlroy's luxurious new jet back in the air as he prepares for Tour finale |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/golf/rory-mcilroys-luxurious-new-private-30246403 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Castillo |first=Jarrod |date=2025-03-26 |title=Inside Rory McIlroy's new £38m private jet with four separate living areas |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/2032556/Inside-Rory-McIlroy-38m-private-jet |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}

McIlroy is a fan of Manchester United F.C.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/masters/profile/24513/7443898 |title=Rory McIlroy Profile |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624074245/http://www1.skysports.com/masters/profile/24513/7443898 |archive-date=24 June 2012}} Following his 2014 Open Championship win at Royal Liverpool, he made reference to his support for Liverpool's rivals during his acceptance speech, prompting light-hearted boos from the crowd.{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/490199/WATCH-Man-Utd-fan-Rory-McIlroy-get-BOOED-by-Liverpool-crowd-at-the-Open |title=Watch Man Utd fan Rory McIlroy get Booed by Liverpool crowd at the Open |newspaper=Daily Express |access-date=29 July 2014 |archive-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728174403/http://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/490199/WATCH-Man-Utd-fan-Rory-McIlroy-get-BOOED-by-Liverpool-crowd-at-the-Open |url-status=live }} McIlroy is also a fan of the Northern Ireland national team. In his spare time, he plays football himself. McIlroy injured his ankle ligaments in 2015, while playing with friends, forcing him to withdraw from the 2015 Open Championship, but later stated he would not give up playing football.{{cite news |title=Rory McIlroy: I feared I had broken my ankle... but I won't give up playing football |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-feared-broken-ankle-6243621 |work=Daily Record |date=26 September 2016 |access-date=26 September 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020054120/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-feared-broken-ankle-6243621 |url-status=live }} McIlroy is a fan of Ulster Rugby and has interrupted his busy golf schedule to attend matches at Ravenhill Stadium in Belfast.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17794940 |work=BBC News |title=Rory McIlroy makes trip home to watch Ulster rugby match |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=21 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821034558/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17794940 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Ruaidhri |last1=O'Connor |first2=Hugh |last2=Farelly |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ulster-deny-mcilroy-is-bankrolling-provinces-big-earners-2630281.html |title=Ulster deny McIlroy is bankrolling province's big earners |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=24 April 2011 |access-date=8 August 2013}} McIlroy said in 2023 that he is a fan of the Buffalo Bills,{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Brianna |title=Rory McIlroy receives official welcome to the Bills Mafia |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/37673156/rory-mcilroy-pga-championship-buffalo-bills-josh-allen |work=ESPN |date=17 May 2023 |access-date=9 April 2024}} as his wife Erica is originally from Irondequoit, New York. McIlroy stated: "It certainly makes it easier to root for the Bills when Josh Allen is throwing the football."{{Cite web |last=Maiorana |first=Sal |title=Fan favorite comes to Oak Hill with 'good memories' and 'good karma' |url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2023/05/16/rory-mcilroy-may-be-the-darling-of-oak-hill-with-rochester-connections/70222022007/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Democrat and Chronicle |language=en-US}}

In 2018, McIlroy appeared on an episode of Amazon Prime show The Grand Tour, racing against Paris Hilton in the "Celebrity Face-Off" segment of the show.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-to-star-in-episode-of-the-grand-tour |title=Rory McIlroy to star in episode of The Grand Tour |date=6 February 2018 |magazine=bunkered |first=Martin |last=Inglis |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208182856/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-to-star-in-episode-of-the-grand-tour |url-status=live }} McIlroy featured in the sports documentary series Full Swing, which premiered on Netflix in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Tee Up for 'Full Swing,' the Golf Documentary Series That Drives Plenty of Drama |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/full-swing-release-date-cast-news |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Netflix Tudum |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213070438/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/full-swing-release-date-cast-news |url-status=live }} McIlroy made a cameo appearance in the 2025 film Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel to Happy Gilmore (1996).{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Release date announced for Happy Gilmore 2 – starring Rory McIlroy |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/release-date-announced-for-happy-gilmore-2-starring-rory-mcilroy/a1296921454.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}

McIlroy dated Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki from 2011 to 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/news/2011/08/25/mcilroy-wozniackiap.html |title=McIlroy says arm fine, confirms dating Wozniacki |publisher=PGA Tour |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729001911/http://www.pgatour.com/news/2011/08/25/mcilroy-wozniackiap.html |url-status=live }} They became engaged in December 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/10223880/rory-mcilroy-caroline-wozniacki-announce-engagement |title=Rory McIlroy engaged to Wozniacki |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=31 December 2013 |access-date=31 December 2013 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101000929/http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/10223880/rory-mcilroy-caroline-wozniacki-announce-engagement |url-status=live }} McIlroy ended the engagement in May 2014:{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/golf/story/_/id/10963160/rory-mcilroy-calls-engagement-caroline-wozniacki |title=Rory McIlroy calls off wedding |work=ESPN |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331180655/https://www.espn.co.uk/golf/story/_/id/10963160/rory-mcilroy-calls-engagement-caroline-wozniacki |url-status=live }} "The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/21/rory-mcilroy-caroline-wozniacki-engagement-called-off |title=Rory McIlroy calls off engagement to Caroline Wozniacki |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Ewan |last=Murray |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331175131/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/21/rory-mcilroy-caroline-wozniacki-engagement-called-off |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/its-over-rory-mcilroy-ends-engagement-to-caroline-wozniacki-30292782.html |title=McIlroy claims Wozniacki split was 'amicable and mutual' |newspaper=Irish Independent |first1=Caitlin |last1=McBride |first2=Cormac |last2=Byrne |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2014 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602202350/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/mcilroy-claims-wozniacki-split-was-amicable-and-mutual-30292782.html |url-status=live }}

McIlroy started dating Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee, in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0530/704896-rory-mcilroy-very-happy-with-american-girlfriend/ |title=Rory McIlroy "very happy" with American girlfriend |date=30 May 2015 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |access-date=19 August 2015 |archive-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728230940/http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0530/704896-rory-mcilroy-very-happy-with-american-girlfriend/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/rory-mcilory-titanic-museum-visit-erica-stoll/ |work=evoke.ie |title=No divas here! Rory McIlroy and girlfriend Erica refuse VIP treatment at Titanic museum |date=24 June 2015 |access-date=25 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114406/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/rory-mcilory-titanic-museum-visit-erica-stoll |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} In December 2015, they became engaged while on holiday in Paris.{{cite news |title=Rory McIlroy engaged to girlfriend Erica Stoll |url=http://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/rory-mcilroy-engaged-to-girlfriend-erica-stoll-34256452.html |newspaper=Irish Independent |access-date=4 December 2015 |archive-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204051736/http://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/rory-mcilroy-engaged-to-girlfriend-erica-stoll-34256452.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/has-she-stoll-en-his-heart-rory-mcilroy-engaged-to-girlfriend-erica/ |work=evoke.ie |title=Has she Stoll-en his heart? Rory McIlroy 'engaged to girlfriend' Erica |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208055807/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/has-she-stoll-en-his-heart-rory-mcilroy-engaged-to-girlfriend-erica/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} They married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/first-pictures-from-rory-mcilroy-wedding-beaming-mum-and-dad-at-ashford-castle-35645040.html |title=First pictures from Rory McIlroy wedding - beaming mum and dad at Ashford Castle |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=28 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428142408/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/first-pictures-from-rory-mcilroy-wedding-beaming-mum-and-dad-at-ashford-castle-35645040.html |url-status=live }} The couple had a daughter in September 2020.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-explains-inspiration-behind-daughters-name |title=Rory McIlroy explains inspiration behind daughter's name |first=Michael |last=McEwan |date=4 September 2020 |magazine=Bunkered |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511115655/https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/rory-mcilroy-explains-inspiration-behind-daughters-name |url-status=live }} In May 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce in Palm Beach County, Florida.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/rory-mcilroy-divorce-erica-stoll-3a3edcda836504d76214c8512b6b0e70 |title=Rory McIlroy files for divorce from his wife of 7 years on the eve of the PGA Championship |work=Associated Press News |first=Doug |last=Ferguson |date=14 May 2024 |access-date=14 May 2024}}{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy files for divorce from wife Erica in week of US PGA Championship |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/cw4rrm8x7plo |work=BBC Sport |date=2024-05-14 |access-date=2024-05-14}} By 11 June 2024, the divorce filing was withdrawn, with McIlroy stating: "We have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/clll8q972z7o |title=McIlroy 'resolves differences' with wife Erica |work=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2024}}

When turning professional in 2007, McIlroy signed with International Sports Management (ISM), an agency founded by former professional golfer Chubby Chandler. McIlroy left ISM in 2011,{{Cite web |title=Chubby 'disappointed and a bit shocked' after split with Rory |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-chubby-chandler-split |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}} and stated he felt like he was being "led down the wrong path" by Chandler, who advised McIlroy to give up his PGA Tour card in 2010 and prioritise the European Tour.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-02 |title=McIlroy explains Chandler split |url=https://www.independent.ie/news/mcilroy-explains-chandler-split/26838871.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} McIlroy then signed with Horizon Sports Management, following the lead of his friend Graeme McDowell who had left ISM to join Horizon.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=David |date=2011-10-23 |title=Friendship with McDowell was key to McIlroy's change of course |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/friendship-with-mcdowell-was-key-to-mcilroys-change-of-course-9ct8ks6kqdt |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} McIlroy split from Horizon in 2013.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-27 |title=McIlroy confirms split from Horizon management |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2013/0927/476850-rory-mcilroy/ |work=rte.ie |language=en}} He had agreed a contract extension with the agency in March 2013, which was set to run until 2017.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Ewan |date=2013-10-14 |title=Rory McIlroy launches court action against former management company |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/14/rory-mcilroy-horizon-dublin-court |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In October 2013, he described the contract as "unconscionable" and said he had been coaxed into signing it. He filed suit against Horizon, claiming they had prioritised their own financial interests to his detriment.{{Cite web |title=Explainer: Understanding Rory McIlroy's court case against his former agents |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/explainer-rory-mcilroy-suing-former-agents-court-case-trial-horizon |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}} Horizon countersued, alleging breach of contract and unpaid fees. A bitter legal battle followed, which ended with an out-of-court settlement in 2015.{{Cite news |date=2015-02-04 |title=Golf-McIlroy and former agents settle legal case |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/golf-mcilroy-court-idINL6N0VD1BS20150204 |access-date=2023-01-23 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123033525/https://www.reuters.com/article/golf-mcilroy-court-idINL6N0VD1BS20150204 |url-status=live }} The Irish Times reported that McIlroy paid the firm in excess of $25 million plus costs to settle the dispute.{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy to pay Horizon 'in excess of $25m' to settle dispute |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/rory-mcilroy-to-pay-horizon-in-excess-of-25m-to-settle-dispute-1.2090885 |access-date=2025-04-12 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}

After splitting from Horizon in 2013, McIlroy created a new management company, Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd.{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy tax move means Republic reaps the benefits while Northern Ireland is left lagging |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/rory-mcilroy-tax-move-means-republic-reaps-the-benefits-while-northern-ireland-is-left-lagging-31098451.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123033526/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/rory-mcilroy-tax-move-means-republic-reaps-the-benefits-while-northern-ireland-is-left-lagging-31098451.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Deegan |first=Gordon |date=2019-11-26 |title=Rory McIlroy's firm sees revenues rise to €16 million |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30966726.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |work=Irish Examiner |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123033527/https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30966726.html |url-status=live }} Initially headed by former Irish Life and Permanent executive Donal Casey as managing director alongside McIlroy's father Gerry as a director, it manages the royalty payments from McIlroy's various endorsements.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/rory-mciroy-will-pay-tax-to-dublin-government-rather-than-hmrc-31097954.html |title=Rory McIroy will pay tax to Dublin government rather than HMRC |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |first1=Thomas |last1=Molloy |first2=Steven |last2=Alexander |date=27 March 2015 |access-date=27 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103002/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/rory-mciroy-will-pay-tax-to-dublin-government-rather-than-hmrc-31097954.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy announces new management team |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-announces-new-management-team-1.1542510 |access-date=2025-04-19 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-03 |title=Irish private-equity heavyweights swing onto golfer Rory McIlroy's board |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/irish-private-equity-heavyweights-swing-onto-golfer-rory-mcilroys-board/a554314333.html |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.independent.ie |language=en}} The company is based in Dublin.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-27 |title=Rory McIlroy spurns tax havens to base global interests in Ireland |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rory-mcilroy-spurns-tax-havens-to-base-global-interests-in-ireland/31098704.html |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} In 2017, McIlroy ranked sixth in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, having earned $50 million, of which $34 million came from endorsements.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/rory-mcilroy/ |title=Rory McIlroy |magazine=Forbes |year=2017 |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508122840/https://www.forbes.com/profile/rory-mcilroy/ |url-status=live }}

In 2019, McIlroy founded Symphony Ventures, a venture capital firm, alongside his long-time agent Sean O'Flaherty. Headquartered in Dublin, it focuses on the healthcare, sports and technology sectors.{{Cite web |last=Doggett |first=Eamon |date=2022-10-03 |title=The shrewd investments paying rich dividends for Rory McIlroy |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/golf/shrewd-investments-paying-rich-dividends-25164592 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Spurway |first=Genevieve |date=2024-08-23 |title=Rory McIlory's Symphony Ventures backs $250m investment in TickPick |url=https://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2024/08/rory-mcilorys-symphony-ventures-backs-250m-investment-in-tickpick/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=TheTicketingBusiness News |language=en-GB}} McIlroy began wearing a Whoop band in 2019 and was among the investors in a $100-million Series E financing round for the company in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Dusek |first=David |title=Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas among Whoop Series E financing investors |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2020/10/28/rory-mcilroy-justin-thomas-among-whoop-series-e-financing-investors/76531859007/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}} He joined the investment group of the Alpine racing team of Formula One in 2023,{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patrick-mahomes-invests-in-formula-one-team-alpine-ownership|title=Patrick Mahomes invests in Formula One team, 'always looking around' at ownership opportunities|last=Shook|first=Nick|website=NFL.com|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130231507/https://www.nfl.com/news/patrick-mahomes-invests-in-formula-one-team-alpine-ownership|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/racing/2023/10/17/patrick-mahomes-travis-kelce-investors-alpine-f1-team|title=Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Become Investors in Alpine F1 Team|publisher=Sports Illustrated|last=McDaniel|first=Mike|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130184527/https://www.si.com/racing/2023/10/17/patrick-mahomes-travis-kelce-investors-alpine-f1-team|url-status=live}} and the ticket marketplace TickPick in 2024.{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy's Symphony Ventures backs event ticket firm TickPick |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/08/22/rory-mcilroys-symphony-ventures-backs-event-ticket-firm-tickpick/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}} McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in 2022, alongside Tiger Woods and former Golf Channel executive Mike McCarley.{{Cite web |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |date=2024-06-24 |title=Tiger's TMRW Sports Valued at $500M in Series A Funding Round |url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/golf/2024/tmrw-sports-500-million-value-series-a-funding-round-1234785406/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Sportico.com |language=en-US}} The company's first project was TGL, an indoor golf league which secured a broadcasting deal with ESPN. A funding round in 2024 valued TMRW Sports at $500 million.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods secure $500m funding for their indoor golf league venture, TGL, which will start in 2025 |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-and-tiger-woods-secure-500m-funding-for-their-indoor-golf-league-venture-tgl-which-will-start-in-2025/a1521160874.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} In 2025, McIlroy partnered with private equity firm TPG to form TPG Sports, an investment fund targeting the sports sector.{{Cite news |last1=Hirsch |first1=Lauren |last2=Sorkin |first2=Andrew Ross |date=2025-05-01 |title=Rory McIlroy and Investment Giant TPG Team Up for Sports Venture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/dealbook/rory-mcilroy-tpg-sports.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

McIlroy became an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland in 2011,{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.ie/NewsMedia/Golf-Star-Rory-McIlroy-appointed-UNICEF-Ireland-Ambassador-72-183.aspx |title=Golf Star Rory McIlroy appointed UNICEF Ireland Ambassador |publisher=UNICEF Ireland |access-date=19 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623235325/http://www.unicef.ie/NewsMedia/Golf-Star-Rory-McIlroy-appointed-UNICEF-Ireland-Ambassador-72-183.aspx |archive-date=23 June 2011}} and visited Haiti with UNICEF in June of that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-puts-us-open-preparation-on-hold-for-inspiring-two-day-trip-to-earthquake-ravaged-haiti/2011/06/10/AGf3XrOH_story.html |title=Rory McIlroy puts U.S. Open prep on hold for 'inspiring' trip to earthquake-ravaged Haiti |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=10 June 2011 |first=Barry |last=Svrluga |access-date=26 September 2012 |archive-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728020142/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-puts-us-open-preparation-on-hold-for-inspiring-two-day-trip-to-earthquake-ravaged-haiti/2011/06/10/AGf3XrOH_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/110614&sportCat=golf |title=Rory McIlroy's trip makes heartfelt impact – U.S. Open |work=ESPN |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-date=20 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620034225/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene%26page=wojciechowski/110614%26sportCat=golf |url-status=live }} He cancelled a trip to Haiti with UNICEF in 2013 as it conflicted with his participation in the Valero Texas Open. McIlroy's management team Horizon then donated $166,000 of his money to UNICEF without his knowledge, to "avoid any bad publicity".{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Brian |date=2014-12-14 |title=FOCUS: TEED UP |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/focus-teed-up-77fqch57qs9 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Rory McIlroy's legal battle unwelcome blot on Horizon ahead of Grand Slam pursuit |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-s-legal-battle-unwelcome-blot-on-horizon-ahead-of-grand-slam-pursuit-1.2085583 |access-date=2025-04-19 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}} McIlroy had been advised by his then-partner Caroline Wozniacki against donating to NGOs such as UNICEF and instead to create a foundation. McIlroy reversed the donation, and was upset that his management team had made the transaction without his approval.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-23 |title=Caroline Wozniacki discouraged Rory McIlroy from donating to charity |url=https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/caroline-wozniacki-discouraged-rory-mcilroy-from-donating-to-charity/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-12-21 |title=Claim that Wozniacki told McIlroy that UNICEF donation was "stupid" - News |url=https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2014/12/21/claim-that-wozniacki-told-mcilroy-that-unicef-donation-was-stupid |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Irish Golf Desk |language=en-IE}}

In 2013, McIlroy created The Rory Foundation, with a stated goal of supporting children's charities.{{Cite news |date=2019-04-02 |title=Rory McIlroy's charity foundation shuts down |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rory-mcilroys-charity-foundation-shuts-down/37974946.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=Belfast Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} Through the foundation, McIlroy pledged £1 million in 2014 to the Cancer Fund for Children in Newcastle, County Down.{{Cite news |date=2014-05-13 |title=Rory McIlroy's foundation donates £1m to local children's cancer charity |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rory-mcilroys-foundation-donates-1m-to-local-childrens-cancer-charity/30266669.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=Belfast Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} During 2016, the foundation dispensed a total of £1.15 million to charities in Ireland and the United Kingdom, of which £862,543 was donated directly by McIlroy.{{Cite news |last=McDonagh |first=Darragh |date=10 October 2017 |title=Rory McIlroy donated almost €1m to charities last year |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/rory-mcilroy-donated-almost-1m-to-charities-last-year-1.3250734 |access-date=2025-04-12 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}} The foundation shut down in December 2018, with a spokeswoman of the foundation stating that McIlroy "is adopting a private philanthropic policy". It was announced in 2023 that McIlroy had paid €1 million towards the construction of a Cancer Fund for Children lodge in Cong, County Mayo.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title=Rory McIlroy and Rory Best raise €1m each for new children's cancer centre in Mayo |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/celebrity/rory-mcilroy-and-rory-best-raise-1m-each-for-new-childrens-cancer-centre-in-mayo/a1197610794.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=SundayWorld.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=Mayo senator confirms €7.5m. in funding for Daisy Lodge project in Cong |url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/06/20/mayo-senator-confirms-e7-5m-in-funding-for-daisy-lodge-project-in-cong/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Connaught Telegraph |language=en-US}}

• 2005 West of Ireland Championship, Irish Amateur Close Championship{{Cite web |title=West of Ireland 2005 |url=https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/west-of-ireland-2005 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Irish Golf Desk}}
• 2006 West of Ireland Championship, Irish Amateur Close Championship, European Amateur{{cite web |date=26 August 2006 |title=European Amateur Championship Results |url=https://www.ega-golf.ch/sites/default/files/resultsamateur2006_000.pdf |publisher=European Golf Association |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804125057/https://www.ega-golf.ch/sites/default/files/resultsamateur2006_000.pdf |url-status=live}}

¹Started tournament at −5 FedEx Cup playoffs adjustment, scored −13 to par.

²Started tournament at −4 FedEx Cup playoffs adjustment, scored −17 to par.

³Co-sanctioned by the European Tour

PGA Tour playoff record (5–2)

¹Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour

²Co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour

European Tour playoff record (2–5)

¹Co-sanctioned by the OneAsia Tour

Other playoff record (1–0)

¹Defeated Rose in a sudden-death playoff: McIlroy (3), Rose (4).

Results not in chronological order in 2020.

{{legend|lime|Win}}

{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}

{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}

LA = low amateur

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" = tied

NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

• Most consecutive cuts made – 9 (2013 PGA – 2016 Masters)
• Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (twice)

{{legend|lime|Win}}

{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}

{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place

C = Cancelled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Results not in chronological order before 2015.

¹Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

{{legend|lime|Win}}

{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}

{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play

NT = no tournament

"T" = tied

Note that the Championship and Invitational were discontinued from 2022. The Champions was discontinued from 2023.

*As of the 31 December 2024. Money prize figures are rounded up to nearest Euro.{{cite web |url=https://www.europeantour.com/players/34024/career-record?tour=european-tour |title=Rory McIlroy – European Tour – Career Record Details |publisher=PGA European Tour |access-date=27 May 2025 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405181643/https://www.europeantour.com/players/34024/career-record?tour=european-tour |url-status=live }}

{{notelist|refs=

{{efn|name=earnings|As of 2024 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.28237.rory-mcilroy.html |title=Rory McIlroy |publisher=PGA Tour |access-date=26 May 2025 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002093719/https://www.pgatour.com/players/player.28237.rory-mcilroy.html |url-status=live }}}}

{{efn|name=nonmember|McIlroy was not a member of the PGA Tour in 2007, 2009 or 2011 so he was not included on the money list or the scoring average list.}}

}}

• Note that there is double counting of money earned (and wins) in the majors and World Golf Championships since they are official events on both tours.

Amateur

• European Boys' Team Championship (representing Ireland): 2004{{cite web |title=European Boys' Team Championship – European Golf Association |publisher=European Golf Association |date=19 October 2015 |url=http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-boys-team-championship |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305200857/http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-boys-team-championship |url-status=live }}
• Junior Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2004 (winners)
• European Amateur Team Championship (representing Ireland): 2005, 2007 (winners)
• European Youths' Team Championship (representing Ireland): 2006{{cite web|title=EGA Events, Results, European Team Championships, European Youths' Team Championship|url=https://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-youths-team-championship|publisher=European Golf Association|accessdate=3 January 2023|archive-date=3 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103095526/https://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-youths-team-championship|url-status=live}}
• Eisenhower Trophy (representing Ireland): 2006
• St Andrews Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2006 (winners)
• Walker Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2007
• Bonallack Trophy (representing Europe): 2006 (winners)

Professional

• Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2010 (winners), 2012 (winners), 2014 (winners), 2016, 2018 (winners), 2021, 2023 (winners)
• Seve Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2009 (winners)
• World Cup (representing Ireland): 2009, 2011

{{Portal|Biography}}

• List of golfers with most European Tour wins
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins
• List of men's major championships winning golfers

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Brendan |date=2024-07-17 |title=From Rory's hometown, the angst of McIlroy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5641842/2024/07/17/rory-mcilroy-open-championship-pga-tour/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |work=The Athletic |language=en-US |url-access=subscription}}

• {{official website}}
• {{EuroTour player|34024}}
• {{PGATour player|28237}}
• {{OWGR|10091}}
• {{Olympics.ie|rory-mcilroy}}
• {{Olympics.com|rory-mcilroy}}
• {{Olympedia}}

{{Golf world number ones (men)}}

{{navboxes

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{{The Masters champions}}

{{U.S. Open champions}}

{{The Open champions}}

{{PGA Champions}}

{{Men's Career Grand Slam Champion Golfers}}

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{{Players Championship champions}}

{{World Golf Championships winners||s|s|s}}

{{BMW PGA Championship champions}}

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{{2010 European Ryder Cup team}}

{{2012 European Ryder Cup team}}

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{{navboxes|title=Rory McIlroy awards and achievements

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{{FedEx Cup Playoffs}}

{{PGA Players of the Year}}

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{{BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year winners}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{commons category|Rory McIlroy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McIlroy, Rory}}

Category:Male golfers from Northern Ireland

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Category:Olympic golfers for Ireland

Category:Golfers at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Golfers at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners

Category:RTÉ Sports Person of the Year winners

Category:People educated at Sullivan Upper School

Category:Sportspeople from Holywood, County Down

Category:Golfers from County Down

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland