A Legend in the Making

Since turning professional in 2007, Rory McIlroy’s journey to golf’s summit has been nothing if not eventful. Robert Green traces the Irishman’s first 10 years on Tour.

- Robert Green

In May 2011, Rory McIlroy and fellow-Ryder CupperIan Poulter were at Wembley for the Champions League final between Manchester United and Bercelona. McIlroy is a Man U fan. Poulter poed fun at McIlroy in a tweet because he had ordinary seats whereas Poulter, an Arsenal fan, was a guest in an executive box. McIlroy's reply was both telling and amusing. 'With the real supporters... Here to be heard, not seen!!' The follow-through was 'Oh and I actually paid for my ticket unlike some.' In those elements, you have the Rory story: the Ryder Cup, asperity, humour, Twitter chatter (sometimes with ddgy punctuation), self-confidence...oh, plus extraordinary talent...

Born in Holywood, Northern Ireland, in May 1989, the only child of Gerry and Rosie, McIlroy enjoyed a distinguished amateur career, including winning the silver medal for low amateur at the 2007 Open Championship. He turned professional that September. He won for the first time on the European Tour in 2009 after an opening 64 at the Dubai Desert Classic and for the first time in the States at Quail Hollow in 2010 on the back of a closing 62. He has been the world No.1 for 95 weeks, miles adrift of Tiger Woods (683) and Greg Norman (331) but very close to catching Nick Faldo (97) and thereby moving up to third on the all-time list. Maybe he’ll have got there by the time the tour caravan reaches Augusta in April.

Ah, yes – the Masters. As McIlroy has been saying since he won his third different major championship, “The Masters is the one…” This coming April, as surely as controversy follows President Trump, it will happen again. McIlroy said ahead of the tournament last April: “I think I am a good enough player and have everything I need to become a Masters champion. But I also know each and every year that passes, the expectation will rise and it will become increasingly difficult.” No one said he wasn’t perceptive.