Rory McIlroy fought back tears after revealing that his father, Gerry, underwent a double-lung transplant and has spent the past two months in hospital. The emotional disclosure came after McIlroy matched Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai titles on Sunday.
The world No 2 had just secured the DP World Tour’s order-of-merit title for a fifth consecutive year in Dubai when he explained in a post-tournament interview that his 67-year-old father had undergone a “huge operation” in September.
McIlroy later provided further insight into the family’s ordeal, revealing that his father had been dealing with serious health problems for 18 months before a transplant became the “last resort”. He said Gerry is now “recovering well” in a Cleveland hospital, having visited him before travelling to the Middle East for the end of the DP World Tour season.
McIlroy said: “My dad is a massive part of my life. He has always been my biggest supporter, the person who got me into the game and the one who told me to follow my dreams and never give up. It has obviously been difficult.
“He has been living with this for a while, for 18 months, and it reached the point where the last resort was that he needed a transplant. So he had a double-lung transplant in September. Thankfully, the operation was a success and he is recovering well.
“It has been a stressful time for our family. I have spent a lot of time in Cleveland because that is where he is. I did not know whether I was going to go to India last month because I spent nine days in the ICU with him while he was recovering.”
Rory McIlroy became emotional as he spoke about his father’s ongoing health battle on Sunday
Gerry McIlroy (left) has spent two months in a Cleveland hospital following a “huge operation”
“If things had not been looking as positive as they were, I probably would not have felt comfortable travelling or being so far away. But he has an amazing team there, and the doctors and nurses have been absolutely incredible.
“That made me feel comfortable travelling to India, knowing I could get back to him if necessary. He was clearly in very good hands.
“He has been making a really steady recovery. I went to see him before I left a couple of weeks ago, and he said to me, ‘Rors, go and win me the Race to Dubai.’
“That stayed in my mind for the last two weeks. I really wanted to do it for him, knowing he would have been watching from his hospital bed this morning. It was special to get it done for him.”
McIlroy has an exceptionally close relationship with his father and regularly reflects on the sacrifices Gerry made to help him reach the top of professional golf.
Gerry has supported Rory throughout his career, including during his completion of the Grand Slam
Gerry and Rory continue to enjoy a friendly rivalry and often play golf together
McIlroy grew up as an only child in Holywood, Northern Ireland. His father worked several jobs to help fund his son’s career, while his mother, Rosie, also worked multiple jobs to support the family.
In 2024, McIlroy marked his father’s 65th birthday by playing the Old Course at St Andrews with him. The pair continue to enjoy a friendly rivalry whenever they play together.
McIlroy fulfilled his father’s request by finishing second to Tyrrell Hatton in the DP World Tour Championship. That result enabled him to overtake Eugenio Chacarra on the final day of the season-long points race.
The achievement carries considerable historical weight. Matching Montgomerie’s tally is an outstanding feat in its own right, particularly for McIlroy, who spends most of his season competing on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy said: “Winning eight Orders of Merit was never really on my list of goals when I was growing up. I remember Monty being such a stalwart of the European Tour and watching him at the World Match Play at Wentworth over the years. I also remember playing with him for the first time at The London Club during the European Open in 2008.
McIlroy’s parents, Gerry and Rosie, worked multiple jobs to help fund his golfing career
McIlroy hugs his father Gerry and mother Rosie after winning the Masters at Augusta in April 2026
“To now be alongside him and have won eight of these titles means the world to me. I am a very proud European player and proud to be part of the DP World Tour.”
Hatton’s victory on the Earth Course completed a strong, though turbulent, season for the Englishman. He finished third at the Masters before winning a title on the LIV Golf circuit in June.
The 35-year-old’s resurgence has been impressive. This was his ninth DP World Tour victory and came a week after he finished runner-up in Abu Dhabi.
Hatton finished on 15 under par, five shots clear of McIlroy, and said: “This is really special. I was extremely nervous today. I did not say anything to anyone in my team, but I have experienced some heartbreak here and felt it might be a difficult day. I am incredibly proud. It feels so good to win here.”