Who Is Rory McIlroy? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Rory McIlroy, born on May 4, 1989, is a professional golfer hailing from Northern Ireland. As of 2025, McIlroy is 36 years old. He began playing golf at a young age and turned professional in 2007. His outstanding performances on the PGA Tour and European Tour have established him as one of the top golfers of his generation, alongside a notable career highlighted by four major championship titles.
| Occupation | Golfers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1989 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Ireland |
Popularity
Rory McIlroy's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In 2025, Rory McIlroy stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and weighs approximately 160 pounds (73 kg). His athletic build, characterized by strong arms and an agile frame, contributes to his exceptional swing mechanics and on-course performance. His body measurements reflect the disciplined lifestyle of a professional athlete.
Despite his modest stature at 5 ft, McIlroy has consistently been among the longest drivers in professional golf throughout his career.
He had a "grip-it-and-rip-it" style with a long, fluid swing when he first came out on tour; he began to experience back problems by the age of 19 and required the use of heavy strapping and anti-inflammatory medication while playing.
He was warned by a doctor that he likely would develop a stress fracture in his back if he did not change his approach. 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, 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 190 mph ball speed.
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. McIlroy also was introduced to Bob Rotella's book Putting Out of Your Mind in late 2009.
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. 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". 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.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Rory McIlroy is currently married to Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee. The couple tied the knot in April 2017, in a lavish ceremony in Ireland. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Poppy, in 2020. The couple tends to keep their personal life private but shares glimpses of their family moments occasionally on social media.
His mother, Rosaleen "Rosie" McDonald, was originally from Lurgan, County Armagh, while his father, Gerry McIlroy, was from Holywood. 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.
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.
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..
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Rory McIlroy's estimated net worth is around $150 million. His wealth stems from his lucrative contracts with major brands, prize money from tournaments, endorsements, and personal business ventures. In 2025, he reportedly earns over $40 million a year, solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
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.
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.
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 17–11.
Career, Business, and Investments
Rory McIlroy's career has been nothing short of remarkable. He has won numerous prestigious titles, including the U.S. Open, Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. Beyond golf, McIlroy has ventured into various business endeavors, including golf course design and a clothing line. His astute investments and endorsements with global brands have contributed significantly to his financial success.
Rory Daniel McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a Northern Irish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and the PGA Tour. He is a former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking and has spent over 100 weeks in that position during his career. A five-time major champion, he is one of six men to achieve a modern career grand slam and the first European to do so.
Social Network
Rory is quite active on social media platforms, with millions of followers across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He uses these platforms to interact with fans, share insights into his daily life, and promote his sponsors. His social media presence has played a crucial role in cultivating his brand and maintaining his popularity in the sports world.
McIlroy has been regarded as one of the most marketable athletes in the world since early on in his career. He was an ambassador for hotel chain Jumeirah from 2007 to 2012, and signed a multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement with Santander Bank in 2011.
SportsPro rated him at third, behind Neymar and Lionel Messi, in their 2013 list of the world's most marketable athletes. 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.
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. Also in that year, McIlroy signed endorsement deals with Bose and Omega.
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.
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.
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. Sports Business Journal stated that McIlroy "took on the unofficial role as face of the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf".
McIlroy criticised the league for having "ripped apart" the game of professional golf. 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.
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.
He maintained that "If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire." 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."
Education
Rory McIlroy was educated at the Holywood Primary School and subsequently attended the Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Northern Ireland. While his academic pursuits took a backseat to his golf career, the values instilled through his education have undoubtedly contributed to his discipline and work ethic as a professional athlete.
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.
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. In a 1998 interview with BBC Sport, McIlroy said his ambition was to win all four major championship titles.
He became a scratch handicap at age 12, and began to receive mentorship from professional golfer Darren Clarke. McIlroy decided to leave school in 2005 in order to concentrate on golf.
