Rory McIlroy factfile

Rory McIlroy factfile

Born 4 May 1989 (18 years old)

Home: Holywood, Co Down

Age 2 Drives the ball more than 40 yards

Age 8 Becomes youngest full member of Holywood Golf Club

Age 9 Wins the world under10 title at Doral in Florida; records first hole in one; appears on the Gerry Kelly show, chipping balls into the drum of a washing machine

Age 11 Shoots level-par 69 at Holywood

Age 13 Plays off scratch

Age 15 Misses the cut in his first professional event, the British Masters; becomes the youngest winner of both the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship

Age 16 Shoots course-record 61 at Royal Portrush; makes the cut in Challenge Tour Morson International Pro-Am; successfully defends Irish Close and West of Ireland titles

Age 17 Wins European Amateur title; Breaks par in three of his four rounds at the Dubai Desert Classic

Age 18 Wins silver medal at The Open with rounds of 68, 76, 73 and 72 for five over par.