Rory McIlroy Goes Back to School

WITH THE BLESSING OF his headmaster, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy left school at the age of 15 to pursue his career in golf. Recently, McIlroy, toting a large silver trophy, returned to Sullivan Upper in his hometown of Holywood, Northern Ireland. Headmaster John Stevenson must be proud.

The BBC’s Mark Simpson, also a former Sullivan Upper pupil, sat down with RMac for some light-hearted banter about school days and more.

First shocker: young Rory’s favorite subject was P.E. (Ha ha.) His least favorite subject was English Literature.

“All I wanted to do was play golf,” he said.

Lunches?

“A panini every day. That was me.”

The hair used to be shorter, he admitted, when mum and dad had their say.

And his favorite teacher?

“They were all great,” Rory said.

Of course they were. The charmer. The media are putty in his hands.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Photo credit: Titleist.com)