Rory McIlroy – Still Defiant Against LIV

Rory McIlroy, a professional golfer from Northern Ireland, plays both in European and PGA Tours and holds the third position in the official world of golf ranking. He is one of the few golf child prodigies who followed their dreams and reached an incredible height in their professional golf career. Rory joined the illustrious company of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only three golfers to have won four Major titles by age twenty-five.

       McIlroy was introduced to golf by his father, Gerry McIlroy, at a very young age and became the youngest member (at age seven) of the Hollywood Golf Club. Gerry invited the local professional coach, Michael Bannon, to guide and support his son’s young mind. Today, after more than 25 years, Michael is still his coach. At age 9, McIlroy claimed the under-10 World Championship in Doral, Florida. His growth as a golfer is very systematic, steady, and organic; from a toddler mimicking his father’s golf swing, to growth in the amateur ranks, turning professional, winning majors, becoming an international golfing celebrity, and ultimately becoming the world number one. He won his first major with the 2011 US Open win at Congressional Country Club, Maryland. That number quickly shot up. His global tournament wins so far is thirty-six including four majors (2 PGA Tours, 1 US Open and 1 British Open).

       Up until 2021, the PGA and the European Tours were the only major worldwide golfing organizers. European Tour (aka DP World Tour) operates in Europe and the PGA Tour organizes golf tournaments in the USA and North America. In 2021, LIV Tour was created as an alternative, with the sole sponsorship of the Saudi Arabian public fund. Disciplinary action was taken by the PGA and European Tour associations on golfers who joined the LIV Tour – golfers were expelled for abandoning the proverbial ship. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were the two most prominent golfers who did not join the LIV Tour and were very vocal against joining it.

After years of negotiation and litigation, the PGA Tour announced a merger with the LIV Tour in May 2023. McIlroy is not ready yet.

“If LIV Golf was the last place on earth to play golf, I would retire. That’s how I feel about it,” said the major champion.

He adds his steadfast resolve to his list of powerful characteristics. No doubt it was this discipline and integrity that drove his rapid, organic, genuine success. ⛳️