Rory’s Story: How McIlroy Has Become the Face of Professional Golf
Golf’s Constant: Rory McIlroy has grown into his role as face of the game.
Back in 2015, EA Sports had a decision to make. The video games company had long featured Tiger Woods as the cover star and primary marketing strategy behind its PGA Tour series of games. Woods’ personal life and associated issues had become problematic, and his injuries also led to a decline in fortunes on the course. The logical star to replace Woods? Rory McIlroy duly graced the cover of the long-standing video game series for the first time.
Cut to ten years later, and much has changed in golf. Woods had his redemptive arc, culminating in one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of sport at the 2019 Masters. The golf world has changed dramatically, with many of the world’s best players playing for an organization that did not exist in 2015 – LIV Golf.
And yet, McIlroy remains precisely where he was in 2015. He is arguably the face of the sport, and he is almost certainly the player who has consistently remained at the top in the post-Tiger era. The current world number two is among the favorites in the Masters betting lines this weekend, and he continues to have success across the board, even if that fifth Major eludes him.
A constant fixture at the top
Our perception of McIlroy can feel like a paradox in a way. On the one hand, it can feel like time is fleeting when you consider that the kid we all thought was the future of golf has been a pro for more than 16 years, and he was recognized before that as one of the world’s best amateurs. Yet, it also feels like he has been a permanent fixture in golf forever. Some of the youngsters coming through today cite McIlroy as an inspiration.
McIlroy enjoys the role of elder statesman. At 35, with a face that still makes him look like a teenager, he is not an ‘elder,’ but he is the go-to guy for the media to get opinions on what makes golf tick. McIlroy’s stance on LIV Golf has evidenced this. He became somewhat of an unofficial spokesperson for those wishing to stay loyal to the PGA. McIlroy’s outspokenness caused friction, but it was clear that he was comfortable in his opinions. He won much respect from golf traditionalists over the last few years.
The Major drought could end soon.
We should address the elephant in the room: the Major drought. When McIlroy won his 4th Major in the summer of 2014, many believed he had a fair chance of catching Woods, or at the least, reaching double figures. He was just 25 at the time. Indeed, it would have seemed far-fetched if someone had said he would have added zero since then. It’s a strange, strange drought, one that feels a little blown out of proportion. McIlroy has been world number one for extended periods since that PGA Championship victory, led various money lists, had a lot of Ryder Cup success, and won numerous tournaments. The Majors should not be the only yardstick for his success.
Yet, you get the sense that a McIlroy victory for Major number five would be celebrated across golf. Perhaps it would be at the Masters, or maybe back ‘home’ at Royal Portrush for the 2025 Open; possibly it comes next year. It would further cement his legacy as the man who took the baton from Woods. Even if he doesn’t win a 5th, he has established himself as the player that draws interest from the media and casual fans. You can argue players like Scottie Scheffler are more talented, but they have a long way to go before they can supplant McIlroy as the face of golf.
