Is Rory McIlroy’s dad Gerry a pro golfer? Handicap and more explored

Rory McIlroy's father, Gerry McIlroy, is not a professional golfer but he paired up with his son for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this week. The DP World Tour event conducts two competitions: a professional one and a team event. The father-son duo paired up for the team event.

Gerry McIlroy has a handicap of 2 and is at T132 with his son Rory on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard. The father-son pair shot five birdies in the first round of the DP World Tour event, followed by six in the second round.

Gerry inspired Rory to nurture his dreams in golf and gifted his first plastic golf club at 21 months old. Following that, when he was four years old, Gerry recognized his son’s talent and asked Michael Bannon to coach him.

Gerry also helped Rory in his golf lessons by adjusting pars and served as a caddie till he was 17 years old. Gerry’s contributions to the Irishman’s career didn't end there. Gerry and Rosie (Rory’s mother) worked extra hours in various jobs to fund their son’s passion.

McIlroy disclosed in the 2022 Open that he wasn't aware of his parents' sacrifices until he turned 18.

“I wasn’t aware at all of the sacrifices my parents made…It really took me until probably when I turned pro at 18 when I started to make my own money that I realized the sacrifices they made and how hard they worked and what they allowed me to be able to do,” Rory said.

Currently, Rory McIlroy is sitting at T48 on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard with 6 under.

"He didn't play very well at all": Rory McIlroy on his father's performance at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Rory McIlroy joined a press conference after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and shared his perspective on his father's performance in the first round, via ASAP Sports. He said:

“He didn't play very well at all. He bettered me by two, which was nice, but there's definitely room for improvement there for both of the McIlroys. Lovely to be out here with him. We've done this a few time before. It's his 65th birthday on Saturday. So to be able to stroll around the Old Course with him on the 65th is going to be a pretty cool occasion. Delighted to be out here with him, and hopefully we can make a few more birdies tomorrow.”

Next, McIlroy talked about his first round in the individual game, where he scored 3 under 69.

“It was okay. A bit slow to get out of the blocks. I actually played very nice on our front nine, which is the back nine. Missed a lot of opportunities, and then maybe a little scrappier on the back. But yeah, overall, it was a perfect day to play Carnoustie. I probably didn't quite take advantage of the conditions,” he added.

Rory McIlroy will play the third round of the DP World Tour event on Saturday and he'll tee off with Dean Burmester at 6:23 am ET on the Old Course.