St Patrick Day Special: Irish Golfers’ Eyes Are Smiling

Rory McIlroy     Born 1989, Holywood, County Down

Rory McIlroy leads the newest generation of Irish golfers. Quite arguably the most well known and recognized of Ireland’s golfers, McIlroy was already an experienced competitor when he turned pro in 2007.

He made the cut at the 2005 British Masters as a 16-year old amateur and did it again the following year at the Dubai Desert Classic and, at Carnoustie, at The Open Championship, where he received the Silver Medal awarded to the low amateur. But McIlroy’s first pro win didn’t come until 2009 – two long years after he turned pro – at the Dubai Desert Classic.

That victory launched a sports career that is legendary. McIlroy’s resume to date includes 4 major championship – he has yet to win the Masters – 26 championships across tours, and a list of awards and achievements that establish his clear dominance in the game: the Mark H. McCormack medal 3 times, European Tour Order of Merit twice, European Tour Player of the Year 3 times, PGA Player of the Year twice, Vardon Trophy twice, Byron Nelson Award twice.

Despite a bit of an identity crisis – McIlroy carries a British passport, has variously declared himself “Irish,” “Northern Irish,” and “British” and has recently joined the golf ex-pat community in Florida – we’ll keep the Ulsterman here.

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