With five majors and a Grand Slam to his name, Rory McIlroy is viewed by many as golf’s biggest superstar.
When McIlroy met Tiger Woods for the first time back in 2004, no one could have expected that fresh-faced 15-year-old to dominate the world of golf like Rory has.
The Northern Irishman’s exploits on the golf course have earned him worldwide status, now being recognised as one of the sporting world’s most notable names.
With that being said, though, there are still some things people don’t know about McIlroy, and the Sport Review lists ten of the most surprising facts below.
1) First hole-in-one
Everybody remembers their first hole-in-one, but not many can admit they had one at the age of nine. Yes, that’s correct, McIlroy managed his first-ever hole-in-one at nine years old, whilst playing at his home course in Holywood, Northern Ireland.
McIlroy, though, would have to wait until 2015 for an ace in a professional tournament, with a perfect 9-iron doing the job in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
2) TV fame as a child
Even as a child, it seemed like Rory was destined for the top.
After becoming the under-10 world champion, the Northern Irishman appeared on the Gavin Kelly Show. Giving birth to this iconic clip.
3) High school decision
To be the best, you often have to make sacrifices, and that was the case for McIlroy as a child.
With his golf game thriving in the junior ranks, the Masters champion had to make the tough decision to quit school at the age of 16 to pursue his golfing passion.
4) Parents sacrifice
In order to make their son’s dream a reality, Rory’s parents worked multiple jobs to fund his ambitions of making it pro.
Gerry, his father, worked 100 hours a week cleaning toilets and showers in a local sports club in the mornings, before working as a bartender in the evenings.
Rory’s mother, Rosie, also played a huge role in supporting him, working night shifts at a local factory to cover golfing costs.
5) Engagement to Caroline Wozniacki
McIlroy has been married to Erica Stoll for a number of years now, but there was a time when he was actually engaged to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
The pair were in a relationship from 2011 to 2014. McIlroy, though, decided to call quits on the relationship shortly after getting engaged.
6) Rory’s superstition
Rory is a player who often lets his talent do the work. He does, however, have one superstition he always lives by.
Throughout his career, he has made sure that whichever ball marker he begins a tournament with, he will finish the tournament with that same marker, no matter what happens.
7) Car collection
As well as his golfing exploits, Rory also has a keen passion for cars.
The Northern Irishman reportedly has a collection of luxury cars worth just shy of £1 million, which includes vehicles like the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the Lamborghini Aventador.
8) One Direction cameo
During the 2015 Masters, McIlroy chose One Direction star Niall Horan as his caddie in the Par 3 contest.
There was reportedly an agreement between the two that McIlroy would return the favour by appearing on stage with the band. McIlroy’s singing, however, never saw the light of day.
9) McIlroy’s victory nets his father thousands
Rory’s family always had faith that he would succeed in the game of golf, and his father would even place a £200 bet in 2004 that his son would go on to win the Open Championship within ten years.
It would take ten years for the 500/1 bet to pay off, but Rory’s 2014 triumph would net his father a handsome £100,000.
10) Caddie partnership
His caddie, Harry Diamond, is actually a childhood friend of Rory’s and the best man at his wedding.
The pair have been working alongside each other since 2017, after McIlroy decided to part ways with his former caddie JP Fitzgerald.