Rory Mc Ilroy
Rory McIlroy, MBE (born 4 May 1989) is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Holywood in County Down who is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He is a former World Number One and a two-time major champion. He won the 2011 U.S. Open, setting a record score of 16-under-par on his way to an eight-stroke victory. The following year he won the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island by a record eight strokes for his second major championship victory. He has been cited as the most exciting young prospect in golf and as having the potential to become one of the highest earners in sports in terms of endorsements.
McIlroy has represented Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and Ireland as both an amateur and a professional. He had a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007. Later that year he turned professional and soon established himself on the European Tour. He had his first win on the European Tour in 2009, and on the PGA Tour in 2010. He represented Europe in the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cup. In 2011 at the age of 22, he became the youngest player ever to reach €10 million in career earnings on the European Tour. In 2012 he became the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
SportsPro has McIlroy rated as the second most marketable athlete in the world while the Golf Club Managers' Association's Golf Club Management magazine ranked him as the second most powerful person in British golf. In January 2013, he signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike worth $250 million.
Read more about Rory Mc Ilroy: Early Life, Family, and Early Golf Development, Amateur Career, Technique, Additional Mentors and Coaches, Controversies, Personal Life, Amateur Wins (5), Results in World Golf Championship Events, Team Appearances, Equipment