Golf Fund

“To fund his golfing ambitions, McIlroy’s parents took on extra jobs. Gerry worked 100 hours a week; he cleaned toilets and showers at a local sports club in the mornings, served as a bartender at Holywood Golf Club from 12 to 6 pm, then returned to the sports club to work behind the bar in the evenings. Rosie looked after Rory during the day, and worked night shifts packaging rolls of tape at a 3M factory in Bangor, County Down. Due to their conflicting schedules, McIlroy’s parents rarely saw each other during this period. Gerry later said: “I had no idea what else to do. I’m a working-class man. We wanted to give our only child a chance.” 

After finding success as a professional golfer, McIlroy bought his parents a house in 2009, and stated: “I’ll never be able to repay Mum and Dad for what they did, but at least they know they’ll never have to work another day. I’ll do whatever it takes to look after them.”