Rory McIlroy is a name instantly recognizable to golf fans. He burst onto golf’s scene in the 2010’s by winning four majors, but until his recent win in the 2025 Masters, he was stuck on that figure for 11 years. This book (completed before that Masters victory) by Timothy M. Gay, tells the complete and complicated story of one of the most popular golfers today.

The cover shows McIlroy with colors from the Irish flag. However, he hails from Hollywood, County Down in Northern Ireland and Rory, to this day, has conflicting emotions on which country he represents. His great uncle was killed during The Troubles, the long war between Catholics and Protestants that ravaged Northern Ireland. This is just part of the extensive picture Gay includes of McIlroy and his family in his formative years.

There is also a lot of good material about McIlroy after he becomes a PGA member off the course. His romantic interests, including the very public engagement and subsequent break-up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, his current marriage to Erica Stoll and other flings that kept tabloid reporters very busy. Also well documented by Gay was McIlroy’s public denouncing of the LIV golf tour (before they and the PGA came to an agreement), his changing of his management company and his great love for his parents. No matter the topic, if it involved McIlroy, Gay made sure to include it.

Of course, the writing about McIlroy’s successes and struggles on the course are quite good as well. McIlroy’s game is great off the tee but his putting issues are practically legendary in a not-so-flattering way. Whether it’s a major tournament, on of the other non-major events or his representation on the European Ryder Cup team, the description of the action on the course is great. The last few chapters of the book are heavy on this content and it does feel fitting to do so. This book really show the complexity of the character that is Rory McIlroy.

I wish to thank Regalo Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Post Hill Press for the ARC of Rory Land in exchange for feedback.
My husband and Dad are big golf watchers and Rory fans. I requested the book for them since they are big fans.
The book describes Rory's early life in Ireland and his ups and downs playing golf. Sometimes controversial, while being vocal against the LIV league, there is no denying that he loves the game of golf.
Read the book to understand the title! Great book for golf-enthusiasts.

I can honestly say that this book is definitely worth reading and fun to read I love sports and would recommend this book to anyone who loves sports. I love Golf it is such a fun sport but can also be challenging at times.

Rory Land is a biography of Rory Mcllroy a successful and beloved professional golfer from Northern Ireland. Mcllroy has won golf tournaments on the US based PGA tour as well as in Europe and Asia.
Mcllroy is known for his affability, his willingness to engage with fans especially younger fans seeking an autograph or a picture.

Mcllory has also been known recently for his activism regrading the Saudi Arabian backed lIV tour. He was dead set against the tour and then when the PGA of America began talks to possibly merge with LIV, Mcllroy reversed his position and then subsequently decided to decline public comment about the situation.
The author Timothy M. Gay provides a tremendous amount of background information regarding Mcllroy's family history and his early success as a golfer.
Fans of Mcllroy and golf will find this book entertaining and informative. Those who are already fond of Mcllory will admire him even more after reading this book. The book will not convince the folks who do not care for Mcllory to change their minds, however they may develop a begrudging respect for his rise to prominence from humble beginnings.

In *Rory Land*, Timothy M. Gay delivers a compelling and, more importantly, human portrait of golf superstar Rory McIlroy—an athlete whose talent and charisma have made him a PGA Tour favorite. Gay explores the highs and lows of McIlroy’s career, peeling back the layers of a man navigating fame, personal convictions, and a shifting professional landscape. It’s an engaging, thought-provoking read that offers both fans and critics a richer understanding of one of golf’s most fascinating figures.