Northern Irish · Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland · Born 4 May 1989A dominant multiple major champion from Northern Ireland, McIlroy became the sixth man ever to complete the career Grand Slam by winning the 2025 Masters.
Rory Séamus McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1989. He turned professional in 2007 at 18. He won four major championships by age 25 — including the 2011 US Open by eight shots and the 2014 Open and PGA Championship within weeks of each other. He represented Ireland in the Olympics under the Irish flag after a lengthy deliberation about whether to compete for Ireland or Great Britain. He famously collapsed at the 2011 Masters, leading by four shots after 54 holes before shooting 80. He won the Masters in 2025 — completing the career Grand Slam — in one of the sport's most emotionally anticipated individual victories. Having completed the career Grand Slam with his playoff win over Justin Rose at the 2025 Masters, McIlroy successfully defended the green jacket in April 2026, holding or sharing the lead after every round and building a record six-shot 36-hole advantage before closing out a one-stroke win over Scottie Scheffler. He joined Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only men to win the Masters in consecutive years.
Completing the career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters
How They Played
Aggressive driver, exceptional ball-striking
Lasting Impact
One of golf's most talented players, youngest to earn $10m
Career Honours
- US Open 2011
- PGA Championship 2012, 2014
- The Open 2014
- Masters 2025, career Grand Slam completion