Rory McIlroy’s former mansion gives a clear insight into how the golfer built the perfect setting to reach the top of his game.
The current world No.3 is one of the most accomplished players of his era. Despite a fifth major title remaining elusive since his last victory in 2014, McIlroy has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform well on the sport’s biggest stages.
Rory McIlroy sold his Northern Ireland mansion before moving to Florida (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
While the challenges he’s faced across the four majors have provided long-term lessons, practice and repetition moulded him into the player he is today. The 35-year-old’s dream £2m home provided the perfect setting for this, complete with its own putting green and, astonishingly, a personal driving range.
As McIlroy laid the groundwork for his first two major wins – the 2011 US Open and 2012 PGA Championship – he was living in a breathtaking mansion in his homeland. Whenever he wished, he could practice putting on his private green or hit a few balls on his exclusive driving range.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, his estate featured 14 acres of land, a gym, and a tennis court. However, as his reputation grew on the PGA Tour, McIlroy spent more time flying between tournaments than in his dream home.
Once it became clear that moving was necessary, he sold his Northern Ireland home to TV presenter Gary McCausland. The host admitted to paying slightly less than McIlroy’s asking price but didn’t disclose the exact amount.
McIlroy’s former home in Northern Ireland ( Image: Five Star)
McIlroy, who is estimated to be worth around £225m according to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, splashed out on a new £17.5m ($22m) mansion in Jupiter, Florida, previously owned by golf legend Ernie Els. Although the 2.4-acre plot is smaller than his previous residence, McIlroy’s new pad boasts nine bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, an infinity pool, games room, home theatre, recording studio, tennis court and gym.
While there’s no space for his own driving range or putting green, he can drive 90 minutes out of Miami to a golf course conveniently located next to his personal six-car garage. Back in Northern Ireland, McIlroy also invested in a 200-acre, 19th-century grand estate in County Down, unsurprisingly featuring a private golf course.
He also owns a flat in New York, a personal villa in the United Arab Emirates, and another property in La Quinta, California.
McIlroy’s Florida mansion with swimming pool and tennis court ( Image: PGA Tour)
In the latest season of Netflix’s ‘Full Swing’, McIlroy revealed that his wife Erica Stoll prefers British weather over sunny Florida. “If it was up to her, she wouldn’t move to England straightaway, but she definitely wants to spend more time there,” he said.
In the golfing world, McIlroy is not focused on his luxury homes; he’s on a quest to end his 11-year major drought. His early form in 2025 bodes well.
He kicked off with a T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January and then claimed victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite a recent tough outing at the Genesis Invitational, where he landed a T-17 finish with three-under-par, McIlroy’s eyes are firmly set on ending his major drought.
