Record-breaking wins, career Grand Slams, and back-to-back Masters appearances… a look back at all six of Rory McIlroy’s previous major titles…
2011 US Open
McIlroy garnered a lot of attention when he competed at Congressional Country Club in 2011, but he famously fell in the final round of the Masters earlier that year after taking a four-shot lead in the final round.
But any chance of a repeat was dashed by McIlroy’s dominant performance, as he shot rounds of 65 and 66 to open up a 36-hole lead, the largest in U.S. Open history, and take control of the tournament.
Rory McIlroy claimed wire-to-wire breakthrough at 2011 US Open
McIlroy had already reached a six-shot lead at the U.S. Open, setting the record for most players to reach 10 under par, and he increased that lead to eight shots heading into the final round.
The then 22-year-old didn’t struggle in the final round this time, finishing the week at 16 under par and breaking Tiger Woods’ tournament scoring record. His eight-stroke victory over Jason Day remains the largest margin of victory in tournament history as of 2025.
2012 PGA Championship
After another record-breaking victory at Kiawah Island in 2012, the excitement grew even more and he returned to the top of the world rankings.
McIlroy shot an opening round 67 in windy conditions on Friday, and after a 3-over 75 and three shots off the median lead, McIlroy shot a 5-under 67 in the weather-affected third round to take a three-shot lead.
Rory McIlroy has won the Wanamaker Trophy twice.
On the final day, McIlroy birdied three of the first seven holes to extend his lead, ending the hopes of the chasing pack, but he made three more birdies in the final seven holes for an astonishing eight-shot victory.
The margin of victory was the largest in PGA Championship history, breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record, and made McIlroy the youngest player since Woods to win two majors, winning in the second round of his bid for Grand Slam glory.
2014 The Open
McIlroy hasn’t always had the fastest starts in majors historically, but his bogey-free opening round at Royal Liverpool in 2014 laid the foundation for a wire-to-wire victory.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
A look back at Rory McIlroy’s best shots during his 2014 British Open victory at Royal Liverpool
Another 66 in the second round gave the now 25-year-old McIlroy a four-shot cushion heading into the weekend, and he added a 68 in the third round, including two eagles on the final three holes, to take a six-shot lead going into the final day.
Sergio Garcia moved up the leaderboard, briefly closing in on McIlroy, who dropped to level par for the day with a bogey on No. 13. Meanwhile, Ricke Fowler also stayed in contention with a late birdie finish.
But McIlroy fought off the possibility of a collapse in the final round, extended his lead with a birdie on the 16th, and finished with a 1-under 71 to win by two strokes over Garcia and Fowler, good enough to win the Claret Jug.
2014 PGA Championship
2014 was a memorable summer for McIlroy as he added a WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title to his British Open win before scoring his fourth major success with a close victory at Valhalla Golf Club.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley reflects on Rory McIlroy’s fourth major win at Valhalla at the 2014 PGA Championship
McIlroy regained the world No. 1 title last week, birdieing three of the final four holes in the third round with a 67 and heading into the final round with a one-shot lead following scores of 66 and 67.
With Phil Mickelson and Fowler in the lead after a late start on the final day, McIlroy began fighting back on the back nine, making a spectacular eagle on the par-5 10th and birdieing the par-4 13th.
McIlroy made a birdie on the 17th, taking a two-shot lead over Mickelson into the final hole, and a two-putt par in near-dark darkness was enough to win his second Wanamaker Trophy.
2025 Masters
It took 11 years and many near misses for McIlroy to break the major record when he completed a memorable first Masters victory in 2025 after a roller-coaster final round and a dramatic playoff at Augusta National.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
The moment Scottie Scheffler put the green jacket on Rory McIlroy and crowned him Masters champion.
McIlroy immediately lost a two-shot 54-hole lead over Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday with a double bogey on his first hole, but then dropped four strokes in four holes (including a double bogey on the par-513) after taking control of the tournament.
McIlroy hit a nice approach shot through the trees for a two-putt birdie on the 15th, and another birdie on the 17th to give him a shot heading into the 72nd hole, where he missed a 5-foot par putt and slipped into a playoff with Justin Rose.
McIlroy made up for it with a close-range birdie chance in the playoffs, sparking an emotional celebration and becoming only the sixth player to complete a men’s career Grand Slam.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the final round of the Masters at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a playoff to complete a career Grand Slam.
Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen have won all four majors in their careers, and McIlroy’s Masters victory fulfilled a childhood dream and cemented his place as one of golf’s all-time greats.
2026 Masters
Like a London bus.
After waiting 11 years for his fifth major title and playing the Masters for 16 years without success, McIlroy won back-to-back titles in 2026. He is only the fourth player to accomplish this feat, and the first since Woods in 2001 and 2002.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the final round of the Masters, where Rory McIlroy won the green jacket for the second year in a row with a 1-under par 71.
While there was unbearable tension during last year’s dramatic, career-defining victory, in the middle stages of this year’s tournament, the unburdened defending champion appeared to be on track for the kind of convincing victory that had marked her early success.
McIlroy opened the weekend with a six-stroke lead, following up his second-round 67 with an impressive 65 in the second round to extend the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history to 12 under.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy receives his green jacket from Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley in Butler Cabin
But by Saturday night, that advantage had evaporated, and Cameron Young entered Sunday tied for first with a 1-over 73.
A double bogey on No. 4 and a dropped shot on No. 6 cost him the lead, but McIlroy fought back with back-to-back birdies on No. 7 and No. 8, followed by back-to-back birdies on No. 12 and 13 to regain the lead.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy defends Masters after bogey on final hole at Augusta
Despite Rose and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler still coming in with a sniff, McIlroy avoided a repeat of the playoff with a two-putt bogey on the 18th for a narrow one-stroke victory.
Will McIlroy find even greater success? Watch the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Open live exclusively on Sky Sports. Get or stream Sky Sports now.
