Magical McIlroy

GOLF:The rise and rise of the US Open champion from Holywood, Co Down
1989: Born on May 4th in Holywood, Co Down. 1991: Hits a 40-yard drive at the age of two. 1998: Makes his first hole in one. 2004: Helps Europe win the Junior Ryder Cup.

2005

: Becomes the youngest winner of the West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships before playing in his first professional European Tour event as a 16-year-old at The Forest of Arden. In July, shoots a course-record 61 on the Dunluce links at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

2006:Retains both Irish amateur titles and in August wins the European Amateur Championship in Italy. October – Represents Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy and the Amateur World Team Championship.

2007: May – Makes the cut in a European Tour event for the first time at the Dubai Desert Classic. Has to forego prize money of more than €7,000 because of his amateur status. July – Hits the headlines with an opening three-under-par round of 68 in the British Open at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day. He goes on to tie for 42nd position and accepts the Silver Medal as leading amateur. September – Part of Great Britain and Ireland team for the Walker Cup. After topping the amateur rankings, McIlroy turns professional. The teenager then makes the cut in his first professional event at the Quinn Direct British Masters. October – Finishes third in his second pro event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The following week, he secures his card for the 2008 season by finishing in a tie for fourth place at the Open de Madrid. He finishes 2007 in 95th place on the Order of Merit list.

2008:January – Enters the top 200 of the world rankings for the first time. September – Takes a four-shot lead into the final round at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland but bogeys the 18th to tie with Jean-Francois Lucquin, who goes on to win in a play-off. Finishes the season in the top 100 of the world rankings and ranked 36th on the European Tour Order of Merit. November – Finishes second in the UBS Hong Kong Open, helping him attain his highest world ranking position of 50, making him the youngest player ever to make the top 50. A joint-third placing in the South African Open earns him an invitation to the US Masters in April 2009, only 18 months after turning pro.

2009: February – Wins first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic by one shot from Justin Rose, lifting him to 16th in the rankings. April – Plays his first major as a professional at the Masters. He finishes the tournament at two under par in a tie for 20th. June – Makes his US Open debut and impresses, finishing 10th. July – Plays in first Open Championship as a professional. His final position is tied 47th. August – Achieves his best finish in a major to date, tied third at the US PGA Championship. November – After finishing second to Lee Westwood in the Race to Dubai, enters the world's top 10 for the first time.

2010: May – Secures first PGA Tour win with victory in the Quail Hollow Championship. His final-round 62 is a new course record. Becomes the the first player since Tiger Woods to triumph on the PGA Tour prior to his 21st birthday. July – Shoots a nine-under-par 63 on the opening day at St Andrews to lead the British Open. Rounds of 80, 68 and 69 see him end the tournament tied for third to rise to seventh in the world. August – Ties for third in the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straits. October – Wins a crucial half point against Stewart Cink to help Europe win the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. November – Enters the world's top 10 for the first time and ends the Race to Dubai ranked second in Europe. Announces his intention to return to the European Tour in 2011.

2011: April – Takes four-shot lead into final round of the Masters at Augusta but shoots eight-over-par final round of 80 to finish tied 15th. June – Takes eight-shot lead into final round of US Open at Congressional before closing the deal yesterday.