How old was Rory McIlroy when he turned pro?

Former world no. 1, Rory McIlroy, was born on May 4, 1989, and held that position for more than 120 weeks. He hasn't yet won a Masters Tournament, despite having won four major championships prior to turning 25. He also won three WGC events in 2014, 2015 and 2019.

He won his first professional win at the European Tour in 2009 and next season on the PGA Tour too. As he plays on both tours, he was the youngest golfer to reach €10 million in career earnings in 2011, followed by $10 million next season at the age of 22.

McIlroy has represented Ireland, Great Britain, and Europe both as an amateur and a professional. He competed for Europe in the Ryder Cup against the United States seven times between 2010 and 2023, winning five times. He was nominated for RTÉ Sports Person of the Year twice, in 2011 and 2014, for his individual and team accomplishments.

Most recently, he won his 38th professional win at the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour for the fourth time. He defeated Adrian Meronk by a single stroke for a score of 274, under 14.

When did Rory McIlroy turn professional?

Rory McIlroy turned professional at the age of 18 in late 2007.

He became a professional the day before the British Masters. After signing with International Sports Management, McIlroy shot 290 (+2) at the Quinn Direct British Masters, tying for 42nd place. In October, he placed third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The following week, he qualified for the 2008 Open de Madrid Valle Romano by finishing in a tie for fourth place. In the European Tour's history, he became the youngest Affiliate Member to receive a tour card. He made €277,255 during the 2007 European Tour season and was 95th overall on the Order of Merit. The highest-ranking associate member was him.

He even turned down Tiger Woods' invitation to compete in the 2007 Target World Challenge and the 2008 AT&T National, preferring to stay on the European Tour. Still, by 2010, he was a player on the PGA Tour.

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How many professional wins does Rory McIlroy have?

Rory McIlroy has a total of 40 professional wins as of July 2024, including three WGCs and four major titles. He won 24 times on the PGA Tour, 17 times on the European Tour, one PGA Tour of Australasia win and four others. He also won three FedEx Cups in 2016, 2019 and 2022.

McIlroy won his first PGA Tour win at the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship, with a score of 273, under 15, against Phil Mickelson by a margin of four strokes. His most recent PGA Tour win was at the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open, an event co-sanctioned by the European Tour. He defeated Robert MacIntyre by a single stroke for a score of 265, under 15.

His first European Tour was at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, over Justin Rose by one shot, with a score of 269, under 19. Ironically, his most recent win was at the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which was his second consecutive and fourth win at the event.

McIlroy might have won the 2008 and 2019 Omega European Masters, the 2008 UBS Hong Kong Open, and the 2017 BMW SA Open, but lost in the playoffs. Similarly, on the PGA Tour, he nearly won the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship and the 2014 Honda Classic, only to lose in the playoffs.

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