Golf: Teen-sensation Rory McIlroy shines at St. Andrews
He smashed a score of 63 with 9 under on the first day of the British Open on the old course of St. Andrews. He stood confidently in a blue polo shirt under a black cardigan which he was wearing to stay dry during wet spells of rain.
Hailing from Northern Ireland, the dark eyed, 5 feet 10 inch tall, golfer was born on May 4, 1989, which makes him 21-years of age. This Taurus is a fan of Manchester United, loves cruising in sports cars and is currently dating Holly Sweeny, his 16 year old girlfriend. Rory McIlroy attended a school in Ireland by the name of Sullivan Upper School. His father is Gerry McIlroy and his mother is Rosie McIlroy.
This teen golf sensation started training at the age of 5 with Michael Bannon, a golf professional, at Hollywood Golf Club. His talent was discovered when he made a 40 yard drive at the age of 2.At the age of 9 he made his first hole-in-one and by the age of 16 he was playing as a professional in the European tour.
He represented Europe in the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup and won the tournament. Next year he won West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships in 2005. He was recorded as the youngest player in the tournament followed by another victory in 2006 at European Amateur Championship. In 2007 he became the second person to top the World Amateur Rankings.
In 2007 he won a silver medal for the leading amateur in the Open Championship at Carnoustie, when he tied for the 42nd position, shooting a 3 under par 68 as an opening tee.
Rory McIlroy made his first cut in his first professional event at the Quinn Direct British Masters, and finished in the third position at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, his second professional event. After these two events’ he was ranked in the top 115 players.
In 2008 Rory McIlroy was standing in the top 100 according to the Official World Golf Rankings after entering the Volvo Masters at Valderrama. In 2009 his name was seen in the top50 after he was beaten in a playoff in the UBS Hong Kong Open .Later that year he qualified for the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta in April, which was yet another achievement for the 20-year old player. His major victory came in the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic when he won the play off from Justin Rose by one shot.
In 2010, Rory McIlroy, established his name when he won the Quail Hollow Championship with the lowest score of 62 beating Phil Mickelson by four shots.
At the St. Andrews Open championship Rory’s best score has been 63 and the worst is 69.His club head speed with the Driver is between 113 and 116 mph.
Currently he is ranked as 9th in Official World Golf Rankings. He has banked €428,569 in the European Tour Race to Dubai and $1,514,833 in the 2010 PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy has two very strong mentors to guide him. They are Darren Clarke and Nick Faldo. Darren Clarke spotted Rory McIlroy's ball-striking abilities at the age of 10. He provided counselling to Rory till he turned 13. It was Clarke, who persuaded him to pass up the offer of a scholarship at Tennessee State University. His trainer and physiotherapist is South African, Cornel Driessen. He started working with him just before the European Masters in August.
Rory McIlroy has a birdie average of 3.04, which gives him a total of 85 birdies. He has 2 eagles from 504 holes. His driving distance from tee to green is 296.30, and, he has an average score of 71.57.
Recently he made waves at the British Open when he took a lead on the first day of the Open, with a 9 under the par 63.His tremendous eagle on the 254-yard 9th hole, followed by a birdie at the 10th , 11th , 15th , and, 17th , hole has put him into the list of prospective winners of the tournament.
Being the youngest player at St. Andrews has earned Rory McIlroy a reputation that has driven the rest of the players into fear. His shots are accurate and his strategy for the big game has been perfect till now.
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