Rory McIlroy: World Number One

On Sunday Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy won the Honda Classic to become world number one. This week’s player profile highlights the recent career achievements of this sensational player who has reached the peak of professional golf achievement.

Born in 1989, McIlroy took to golf from a young age – a talent that would culminate in a successful amateur career. By the time the young golfer was 17 years old he had topped the world amateur rankings, and a professional debut was close at hand.

McIlroy has enjoyed a successful professional career which reached fruition on Sunday when he became world number one. Major milestones in McIlroy’s journey to the top of the world golf rankings include membership of the 2010 European Ryder Cup Team, and a victory at the 2011 US Open – his first major victory.

On Sunday, McIlroy was propelled to world number one, dethroning Britain’s Luke Donald. In a cool and collected final round at the Honda Classic, he held off former world number one Tiger Woods to clinch the title and claim his place at the top of international professional golf.

With 23-year-old McIlroy having stamped his authority on the world of professional golf, all eyes are on the young champion as he negotiates the 2012 season. Having risen to the top with a great technical game and a cool-headed approach, McIlroy has proven to fellow players and fans alike that he is able to weather any storm.

As the Masters approaches, golf fans will be keen to see this talented young champion face off against a resurgent Tiger Woods who tied for second place at the Honda Classic. As McIlroy comes into his own and asserts his authority at the highest level, his large following of committed fans will be celebrating his rise to world number one as they look forward to many more exciting performances from him in the future.

Golfweather Editorial