Rory McIlroy has moved back to the UK after selling his dream home in Northern Ireland over a decade ago, with the recently-crowned Masters champion and his family now living in Surrey

Here's what to know about McIlroy's roots, from his hometown and upbringing, to his young golf career before he emerged as one of the best players in the world. McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1989. His father was also from Holywood, while his mother was from Lurgan, County Armagh.

Those anxious souls in the grandstands, gazing on their hero below, inched forward in their seats—an almost imperceptible lean, telegraphing their anxieties. They held a collective breath as the club drew back,

A two-story mural depicting a precocious Rory McIlroy in 2012 has seen such better days that you can barely tell it is the Grand Slam golfer anymore

Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.

HOLYWOOD, Northern Ireland — Two decades before Rory McIlroy’s career-defining triumph, when he finally conquered his Masters demons with an emotional rollercoaster of a win at Augusta National, he did, in fact, already own a green jacket.

Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the site of Shane Lowry's triumph in 2019. As has been the case all year, the strong favorites entering the tournament are Scottie Scheffler (9/2) and Rory McIlroy (7-1).