Rory McIlroy: the early years

Some images of Open Championship winner Rory McIlroy before the start of his professional journey

Rory McIlroy

Some images of Open Championship winner Rory McIlroy before the start of his professional journey

Back in August 2007, Golf Monthly photographer Kevin Murray travelled to Royal County Down Golf Club for a photoshoot with Rory McIlroy.

Back then, he was a fresh-faced 17-year-old about to do battle with the USA as part of Great Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup team.

He would turn professional the next month, make the cut in his first professional event and finish third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Since then, he's reached the summit of the world game, won three major championships and amassed almost $30,000,000 in prize money.

Check out Kevin's images, below:

Rory McIlroy

 

 

Rory McIlroy

 

Rory McIlroy

 

 

Rory McIlroy

 

Rory McIlroy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rory blue sky

 

Rory McIlroy

 

 

Rory McIlroy

 

Rory McIlroy

 

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Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x