Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy

Born: 04/05/1989
Birthplacee: Holywood, Northern Ireland
Height: 5ft, 10in
Turned pro: 2007
Major wins: 4
Total victories: 23

Major wins:

2011 US Open, Congressional
2012 USPGA, Kiawah Island
2014 Open, Royal Liverpool
2014 USPGA, Valhalla

Rory McIlroy is widely regarded as the best golfer in the world on his day and is known for his beautiful swing and seemingly effortless power.

In 2004, McIlroy scored 61 and 11-under-par to set a record at the North of Ireland Amateur Open at Royal Portrush. He beat the previous record by three shots.

McIlroy became the youngest professional to ever earn a European Tour Card in 2007 and he was eager to make a real breakthrough on the scene.

This didn’t take long as he went on to finish second at the Omega European Masters in 2008 and in November, he became the youngest player to rank among the top 50 golfers in the world.

In 2009, the Northern Irishman won his first professional tournament at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Then came heartache in the form of the 2011 Masters. After dominating for three whole days and taking a four shot lead going into the final round, he surrendered his advantage and finished 15th.

However, he bounced back even stronger and clinched his first major in emphatic style at the US Open, shooting a brilliant 16-under-par at Congressional Country Club.

McIlroy won his first major aged 22 at the 2011 US Open

He broke three records for this major championship. They were the lowest 72-hole total, the lowest 72-hole total in relationship to par and finally the lowest score to par at any point in a US Open.

McIlroy then collected his second major title at the 2012 USPGA Championship at Kiawah Island, where he won by a record eight shots.

His first Claret Jug and third major came at the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool and he then won in his next start at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational before sealing his fourth and final major to date the following week at the USPGA Championship at Valhalla.

His last major win came at the 2014 USPGA Championship

As well as four majors, Rory McIlroy has won three Race to Dubai titles – in 2012, 2014 and 2015, as well as the FedEx Cup in 2016.

He has spent 95 weeks as the world number one, the fourth-highest total since records began in 1986.

His most recent victory came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in March where he had his best week ever on the greens after struggling with the putter on-and-off for a few years.

Rory McIlroy us open preview

Hear what Rory McIlroy has to say ahead of this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills. The current world number six could return to the top of the rankings with a victory