Rory McIlroy got to celebrate his 25th birthday last Sunday night looking back over his short time in the professional ranks and insisting he would ‘take nothing back’.
The double Major winner arrived back to his Florida mansion to be greeted by his fiancée Caroline Wozniacki and along with good friends Mitchell Tweedie and Ricky McCormick plus his long-time caddy J P Fitzgerald and manager Sean O’Flaherty by celebrating the occasion into the small hours of yesterday (MON) morning.
Wells Fargo fans had sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to McIlroy at virtually every turn of the Quail Hollow course but in the immediate minutes after his round McIlroy was clearly in no mood to blow out any birthday candles after recording his seventh top-10 in 10 events this year.
Rory McIlroy with the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
However in the five years and seven months since turning professional at the 2007 British Masters at The Belfry, the former Belfast student can be rightly proud of his achievements.
Two Major victories, four regular PGA Tour wins, three victories on the European Tour, last year’s Australian Open success and other triumphs in made-for-TV events in China.
He went to No. 1 in the world with his 2012 Honda Classic success.
As well, McIlroy’s been on two winning Ryder Cup teams plus ended that year with a golf bag full of accolades and none better than the Number One money list titles in both the States and Europe.
McIlroy’s career earnings alone in just 66 events on the PGA Tour amount to $16.634m which averages $US 252,043 a tournament.
In fact, McIlroy revealed he looked back on what he has achieved in such a short time in the pro ranks during Sunday’s final round in Charlotte.
“If you had of asked when I was 18 years of age and just turning pro where do you envisage yourself on your 25th birthday I don’t think I could have imagined what I have achieved in my golfing career,” he said.
“It was something I was discussing with J.P. (Fitzgerald – caddy) on Sunday, so to have won two Majors and reached such highs as Number One in the world is great.
“It’s something I am proud of, very proud of.”
Of course, there’s been the unnecessary outside the ropes distractions including the split from two management companies and the unsavoury severing of ties with a sponsor.
As well, there was the controversy following his switch at the start of last year to Nike but then a year on and those questions have vanished like that line from The Shawshank Redemption and disappeared like a f*** in the wind.
Of course, being a double Major winner has meant McIlrory having to say ‘no’ now a lot more often but the unpretentious, well-mannered 18-year old that faced the cameras in September 2008 is still that same person.
It’s just that the competitive streak in McIlroy had reached such a fine point and like any elite sportsman he expects more of himself.
“There is that competitive side of me where you expect more of yourself given what you have achieved and what you have accomplished,” he said.
“I also look back on the past five years or so having learnt so much, and it’s been a great five years or so since that week at the British Masters.
“I’ve learnt so much also from the ups-and-downs of last year, so much so you do need a reality check every now and then.
“But looking back to the day when I turned pro and where I have come, and now what I have achieved since then, it has been a great journey and I wouldn’t take anything back.”
The journey continues on Thursday when he tees-up in the $10m Players Championship and among a huge field of 21 Europeans stepping onto the TPC Sawgrass course.
