Rory McIlroy

Background

Teen prodigy Rory McIlroy has set the European Tour alight since turning pro on 18th September 2007. Hard-hitting Rory was always destined to become a professional golfer since the moment he recorded a 40-yard drive aged just two-years-old. His first hole in one came when he was just nine and he played in his first professional European Tour event as a 16-year-old in 2005 at The Forest of Arden.

His amazing amateur career saw him conquer Ireland and Europe, before becoming just the second person to top the World Amateur Rankings in 2007. Rory represented Europe in the winning Junior Ryder Cup team in 2004, before becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships in 2005. The following year he successfully retained both Irish amateur titles and in August 2006 he won the European Amateur Championship.

Rory shot into the public eye with his superb opening three-under-par 68 in the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day. He went on to tie for 42nd position and accept the Silver Medal as leading amateur.

Rory went on to make the cut in his first professional event at the Quinn Direct British Masters, and finished third in his second professional event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. These successes earned the golfing sensation enough money to virtually assure his place in the top 115.

Despite high expectations, Rory keeps a cool head on his young shoulders and lets his golf do the talking. In 2008 Rory exceeded his expectations by making it to the Volvo Masters at Valderrama and entering the elite of the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings.  At the beginning of the 2009 season Rory was beaten in a play-off for the UBS Hong Kong Open title - this performance elevated him into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings which has assured him a coveted place in the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta in April.

Rory's maiden victory came in the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic where he endured a nail-biting final hole and ultimately beat Justin Rose to the title by one shot. Rory finished in 2nd place in the inaugural European Tour Race To Dubai.

If you wish to ask Rory a question please CLICK HERE to be taken to Contact The Players website.