Rory Mcilroy's Impact On The Golf World

Golf has to this day proven to be one of the most popular sports in the world, This would not have been possible without famous players who have helped spread the game. Some of the most famous golfers in the world are guys like Tiger Woods, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy, and Jack Nicklaus. These guys are the most influential people that have ever played the game of golf and have impacted the game in so many ways.

First and foremost we have arguably the most well-known golfer around the globe, Tiger Woods. Tiger has been the most dominant player throughout the 2000s, effectively making his voice andhis reach, significantly more meaningful. This however is not the only reason he has become such a prominent figure in the golf world.

He was an only child who started playing golf at the age of four. He was considered a golf sensation in his teen years; by age 16 he left school so that he could focus purely on golf. He was invited to play in the Nissan Irish Open, then later that same year finished top 50 in the British Open, all while he was just 17 years old. “Even then, he was in possession of the perfect swing, a gorgeous amalgam of art and function, a thing of such simplicity and grace it is enough to make the average weekend hacker weep at their own hopelessness”(“Rory McIlroy.” 1). This quote shows that Rory excelled at golf from a very young age causing everyone to believe he would be a dominant force one day. “McIlroy suffered his first major setback. After competing in two tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai--finishing sixth in the latter and reaching number seven in the world rankings--the golfer suffered a back injury caused by too much practicing”(“Rory McIlroy.” 2). This shows that Rory practiced so much because the game means so much to him that he injured himself. He was able to return to the Masters in 2011. Unfortunately, he had a devastating loss but was able to recover quickly with a win at the U.S. Open. Because of this win, “McIlroy faced a surge in popularity, enhanced by his reputation for being nice, generous, and open with the public, fellow golfers, and the media. He was also UNICEF ambassador to Haiti in June 2011 ”(“Rory

Nicklaus made a name for himself “In 1962, at the Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Nicklaus beat Arnold Palmer in a playoff to win the U.S. Open”(“Jack Nicklaus.” 1). The media gave Nicklaus the nickname “The Golden Bear” because of his golden blonde hair as well as his chubby figure. He was also known for never showing emotion on the golf course, as well as being a heavy smoker. From 1963 through 1969 he dominated the tour by winning the Masters three times as well as the British Open. He was one of the first four golfers to win all four major tournaments. “In 1979 Nicklaus had his worst season to date, having gone winless and finishing seventy-first on the money list. His length off the tee, the long flight, and high trajectory of his iron shots had once given him a huge advantage over the rest of the field—and had revolutionized the game”(“Jack Nicklaus.” 2). This goes to show that Nicklaus faced challenges that he had to overcome; and that what he had done once upon a time to revolutionize the game has now come back to stab him in the back. “Nicklaus is also very involved in the ownership and management of various golf businesses, from golf practice centers to golf-course construction and design, to golf schools and events”(“Jack Nicklaus.” 4). This quote explains how Nicklaus is still very involved with the game of golf today. It shows how