Biography
Rory McIlroy announced his arrival at the 2007 Open Championship, winning the silver medal as best amateur at Carnoustie.
The Northern Irishman turned professional soon after and fastracked to the European Tour with a run of superb finishes.
McIlroy's maiden professional victory arrived at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, a year that saw him leading the Race to Dubai heading into the season finale.
But Lee Westwood denied McIlroy the chance to become the second youngest Tour champion in history, by winning the Dubai World Championship.