Rory McIlroy’s Nationality

Rory McIlroy, a Northern Irish pro golfer, competes on the PGA and the European Tour. He is a former world No. 1 golfer who held the position for over 120 weeks non-consecutively. He reached the latter position for the first time in March 2012. He turned professional in 2007 and has recorded 43 professional wins, including four majors, three FedEx Cups, three WGCs, and two Players Championships.

Further, McIlroy is ranked world No. 2 as of March 2025, as per the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). However, he achieved his first professional win at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in 2009. The following season, in 2010, he gained his first PGA Tour win as well at the Quail Hollow Championship (now the Truist Championship).

What is Rory McIlroy’s nationality?

Rory McIlroy’s nationality is Northern Irish. He was born in Holywood, County Down, in Northern Ireland, on May 4, 1989.

Given the country's divided history (the United Kingdom), Northern Ireland athletes are free to represent either the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, McIlroy had the option of playing for either team, but he clarified that he decided on Ireland just because "he has always" played international golf for Ireland and feels no need to change allegiance now. Although McIlroy has stated that he "feels more British" than Irish (via The Independent).

In 2012, McIlroy was named an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to sport. He made his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, representing Ireland, and finished fourth, tied with Collin Morikawa, Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munhoz, Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey, and C.T. Pan. He also participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics and finished fifth at the Men's Individual Stroke Play event.

Rory McIlroy's Hometown

Rory McIlroy was born and raised in Holywood, County Down, in Northern Ireland. He went to St. Patrick's Primary School and then later to the Sullivan Upper School. He also attained a golf scholarship for East Tennessee State University in 2004 but forwent it to play golf. His father, Gerry, is a scratch handicap-level golfer who taught Rory the game. They used to visit Holywood Golf Club together.

Later, at the age of seven, McIlroy joined the club to become the youngest member ever. According to his Olympics profile, he gained international recognition two years later, at the age of nine, when he won the 1998 Doral Junior Under-10 World Championship. As an amateur golfer, he won five amateur titles and represented Ireland at the 2004 European Boys' Team Championship and the Junior Ryder Cup, among other achievements.

Also Read: Rory Mcilroy Pga Major Wins