0:00:06 > 0:00:09If you ask anyone, they'll tell you that I was a dreamer.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I always thought big and dreamt of big things,
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and winning big championships.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Deep down I always believed that I would get there one day.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26March 4th 2012, the day when Rory McIlroy
0:00:26 > 0:00:30officially became the best golfer on the planet.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35It was the start of a remarkable record-breaking year
0:00:35 > 0:00:38which would rival any in the history of the sport.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Major championship success, multiple victories
0:00:45 > 0:00:47and millions of pounds of prize money.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51But it was a year not without controversy.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55First on the tee, representing Europe...
0:00:55 > 0:00:59This is the story of Rory being number one.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Well done.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- RAP:- They said we can't be entertained
0:01:18 > 0:01:20And so we set up shop...
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Rory McIlroy is one of the most sought-after sportsmen in the world.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It has been a very transitional period in my life in terms
0:01:31 > 0:01:36of getting used to the extra attention, the extra scrutiny.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38It's something that I've had to deal with,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and it probably took me a little bit of time to adjust to.
0:01:41 > 0:01:47I feel like I've adjusted to it now and it's my normality these days.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Meeting the President at the White House,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02it's sort of just become what my life is.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06So many great new experiences, I wouldn't change it for the world.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10I would love to be able to spend a few days and be anonymous,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12but it doesn't quite happen.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be number one.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22It's a great position to be in.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I feel like this is where I have always wanted to be.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30I've always wanted to be one of the names at the top of golf
0:02:30 > 0:02:34and I have got to that point now which is great.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I can't really dwell on it in any way,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39I just have to keep looking forward and keep trying to improve,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41keep trying to win big tournaments.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46His girlfriend is Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52We're just two normal... A 23 and 22-year-old,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55having fun together and enjoying each other's company.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58We don't get to see as much of each other as we'd like.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Obviously, our names pop up in the media every now and again,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03but I don't think that bothers us.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Rory has been dating Caroline for over a year and a half.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Their busy schedules mean careful planning
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and plenty of global travel if they are to spend time together.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26But for one of sport's golden couples,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31the air miles are worth it to watch each other play.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34It's definitely a lot of effort, you want to make it work.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38We are very happy and things are working out very well.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41For me, I think it's great that we both have our own careers
0:03:41 > 0:03:44so not one just waiting at home for the other one.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46I know what he's going through,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and when he plays amazing I know how he feels.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Also, when he goes into a rough path, you know how that feels
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and how to handle the situation
0:03:54 > 0:03:57so definitely you can learn a lot from each other.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I think you can improve a lot on your game as well that way
0:04:00 > 0:04:02because you can learn from one another.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05As I said, if I play well again tomorrow hopefully
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- we can get a chance at the weekend. - Any more questions?
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Young lady at the back, her face seems a bit familiar,
0:04:11 > 0:04:12but I can't quite place her.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16You obviously have unbelievable support this week, so, you know,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20if you win this week, am I going to get a really nice Christmas present
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and what am I going to get?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It's great, I've got my parents here, um...
0:04:25 > 0:04:27LAUGHTER
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Have you not already got a lot of nice presents, no?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I have been looking, I have been looking.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37I don't think...
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It won't take winning this week to buy you a nice present,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43I think you'll get a nice present anyway.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47That must be because I'm an unbelievable cheerleader.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49You're a better tennis player.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04'It's great that he's doing so well, and the dreams he's had
0:05:04 > 0:05:06'since he started playing are coming true.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11'It's just amazing to see that the hard work pays off.'
0:05:20 > 0:05:22A professional golfer's season
0:05:22 > 0:05:25revolves around the four major championships.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The first one every year is the US Masters
0:05:28 > 0:05:31at the exclusive Augusta National club.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38In 2011, Rory led the tournament after three days...
0:05:41 > 0:05:45..before a now infamous final round collapse cost him victory.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52In 2012, he again finds himself high up the leaderboard.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58But his challenge quickly fades.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Despite becoming the second youngest player
0:06:01 > 0:06:04ever to rise to world number one,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Rory isn't able to capitalise on his brilliant start to the season.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13At successive tournaments he struggles
0:06:13 > 0:06:17and by his own admission, he's taken his eye off the ball.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I was down, I got into a couple of swing faults, a couple of problems.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I had to work very hard to get out of them.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Harder than I had ever worked before on my swing to try and get back on track.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Even in that period there were still a couple of decent results.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34I know there was the missed cuts in there,
0:06:34 > 0:06:39but I still felt like there was signs of good golf.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I just had to be patient and wait for it to turn around.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I was actually going to the US Open in pretty good spirits.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53San Francisco is the venue
0:06:53 > 0:06:56for the second major championship of the season.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Rory is the reigning US Open champion
0:06:59 > 0:07:02after a record-breaking victory the year before.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11He's brought some of his friends from back home.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13And before the golf gets underway...
0:07:16 > 0:07:20..Rory is guest of honour at a Major League baseball game.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Welcome, welcome to San Francisco. - Thank you very much.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Did you hit the balls today or no? A little bit?- Golf balls?- Yes.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Yeah. Not baseball.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- You must hit it miles, do you? - I can hit it.- I'm sure.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48He's telling me to go this way.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51As Rory's star status grows in America,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55he's been invited to throw the ceremonial opening pitch.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Let it fly.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- TANNOY:- The defending US Open champion Rory McIlroy!
0:08:21 > 0:08:23The US Open is a sell-out.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Tens of thousands of golf fans are at the Olympic club
0:08:27 > 0:08:30to see if Rory can defend his title.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- Rory, you can do it again. - Thank you.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36But he arrives against a backdrop of media criticism
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and claims that his dedication levels have dropped.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45Rory admits he's still trying to find the right balance
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- between golf and his private life. - Come on, Rory!
0:08:48 > 0:08:53The more eyes that are on you, the more scrutiny you are going to come under.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Of course you are going to get criticism here and there,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00people will be telling you, you know, how to fix your game
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and what you should do to put it right.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05You just can't really take notice of it all,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07you just have to concentrate on what you can do.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Listen to the people around you that you trust
0:09:11 > 0:09:13and trust that you have enough know-how
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and enough ability to get through the bad patches.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I'm trying to be the best golfer I can be, but at the same time,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25not letting that take over my life.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28I want to try and keep somewhat of a normal life
0:09:28 > 0:09:32and do the things any other 23-year-old would do.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35We have a house full of six fellas, so it's good craic.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It's nice to have them around because they're taking everything in
0:09:38 > 0:09:40and enjoying it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43They don't get to see what my normal day is like,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- they just know me from back home. - Is that good for you as well?
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Yes, it's great.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51I walked back into the house yesterday
0:09:51 > 0:09:55and they're all in the back garden in the Jacuzzi chilling having a few beers.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57I was like, "I wish I could join you, boys."
0:09:59 > 0:10:04But Rory again struggles to find his form and his rhythm.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11He misses the halfway cut, his fourth in five tournaments.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15It's a high-profile fall from grace and it would be easy to hide.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21But Rory doesn't shy away and faces our cameras with typical honesty.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23It was obviously very disappointing,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27not the way I wanted this tournament to go.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29I at least wanted to be here for the weekend,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33that was the goal this morning, just to try and make it through to the last two days.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37I don't feel that my game is that far away.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Rory's dip in form has prompted him to make a change.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44He appoints the man who knows his game better than anyone
0:10:44 > 0:10:48to travel and work with him full-time.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51Hold on to that left hand.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Rory has been coached by Michael Bannon since he was a child.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03As chartered by this previously unseen McIlroy family home video.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06When I first saw Rory he was ahead of his time, really.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09When he played with his peers, he was so far ahead of them.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13At ten years of age he played like a 15 or 16-year-old.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16He always had that jauntiness in his step
0:11:16 > 0:11:18and it was great to see him walk up the fairways.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It was like tunnel vision.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23He just loved the game, loved to get out and practise.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25His mum and dad never pushed him to practise.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Rory had to pull them out on a cold Sunday evening
0:11:27 > 0:11:31when the snow was on the ground at Blackwood driving range.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33He wanted to practise.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43He would practise, he would play, he would practise on the course
0:11:43 > 0:11:46maybe when he wasn't allowed in Holywood.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48He'd just practise late into the night.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50The strike he gets on the golf ball hasn't changed,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53but it's got faster and faster as he's got older and stronger.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56When you look at the core of the swing, it's still there,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I recognise it from old videos even to today.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04Nice job, Rory.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09People ask me, what do you do when you're coaching Rory.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10I look at everything.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12We generally don't have to talk about everything,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15we don't fix everything, but we check everything.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16We have a good relationship.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19If I feel something, I'll say to him, if he feels uncomfortable,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22he'll say, "Michael we need to fix this." We do it together.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Another change was coming in Rory's life.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29This is the house just outside Belfast
0:12:29 > 0:12:32which he hoped would be his permanent residence.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35But in the summer he puts it up for sale.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41It is a 14-acre site with its own purpose-built practice golf course.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Rory's busy global schedule
0:12:43 > 0:12:46means he is now rarely able to be in Northern Ireland,
0:12:46 > 0:12:51but he does insist on making one special flying visit back home.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Holywood Golf Club is where it all began for Rory.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12And he wants to help raise money for its young players.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16You see the junior section here at the club and it's huge.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Come here in the summer holidays
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and the place is filled with kids which is great to see.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Before going out for a round of golf,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27especially depending on what golf course it is,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29I'm trying to visualise the holes I'm going to play
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and what shots I might need out there for that day.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46One of my memories is Rory coming into my shop,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48he'd lift up a scorecard.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51He'd fill it out and at the top he'd have British Open
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and he'd put his name in there.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56He'd fill out this remarkable score of about eight or nine under,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00sign the bottom of it and in the marker's column he'd signed Tiger Woods.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05I used to spend every spare minute I had here in the summer holidays.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I'd be up here from 7.30 in the morning
0:14:08 > 0:14:10until ten o'clock at night, basically.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I'd play 54 holes a day, it was just what I did.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17Staying down and through it.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Oh!
0:14:18 > 0:14:20He's a big inspiration to us all
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and it's good to see what he's working on at the moment
0:14:23 > 0:14:26and what kind of shots he's trying to hit, learn a few things.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Rory McIlroy is a massive inspiration,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33probably the way Tiger Woods was a lot of years ago in American golf.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have so many juvenile members.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40It's so good having him here, I really want to be like him,
0:14:40 > 0:14:46it's just a dream to be like him. I hopefully could be.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Holywood's had a pretty good history of producing good players,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55hopefully me being from here might inspire a few others coming up
0:14:55 > 0:14:59and hopefully what I'm doing for the club will benefit them
0:14:59 > 0:15:01in some way to become better players.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Rory!- Rory!
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Rory prepares for the crucial second half of his season.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Caroline is with him in Northern Ireland
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- to witness McIlroy mania. - Can I have your hat?
0:15:21 > 0:15:25As Royal Portrush stages the country's biggest tournament
0:15:25 > 0:15:27in 60 years - the Irish Open.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33Rory also shows an improvement in form at the spectacular venue.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39But things still don't quite click at the third major of the season,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46The Open is traditionally one of the biggest events
0:15:46 > 0:15:50in the world's sporting calendar, but in 2012 it, and everything else,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53is eclipsed as the Olympics come to London.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58For Rory it's role reversal when he experiences
0:15:58 > 0:16:02the Danish media circus that accompanies his girlfriend.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05He's visiting Caroline, who's competing in the Games.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10But Rory makes some controversial Olympic headlines of his own
0:16:10 > 0:16:14after unguarded comments to a journalist.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18A newspaper claims Rory wants to compete for Team GB
0:16:18 > 0:16:22and not Team Ireland at the next Olympics in Brazil.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It was just a moment of, I don't want to say weakness,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29but a moment of I guess frustration with it all and saying, right.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33It's tough because people tune in to watch me play on TV
0:16:33 > 0:16:37and they feel like they are connected to me in some way.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I don't want to repay them for their support
0:16:40 > 0:16:43by doing something that they wouldn't want me to do.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I just think being from where we're from,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48we're placed in a difficult position.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50There's been sports people before me
0:16:50 > 0:16:52that have been put in that same position before.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55If I could, and there was a Northern Irish team,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I'd play for Northern Ireland. I feel Northern Irish.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Obviously, being from Northern Ireland
0:17:02 > 0:17:06you have a connection to Ireland and a connection to the UK.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09And it's a tough one.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12I mean, I haven't made a decision,
0:17:12 > 0:17:17it's still four years away, and whatever decision I make,
0:17:17 > 0:17:22whether that's play for Ireland, play for Britain,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26not play at all maybe just because they don't want to upset too many people.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Is that genuinely an option?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30You might not play because you think you may upset people at home.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Yes, for sure it's definitely an option. I've got three options.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Either play for one side, or the other, or I don't play.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38You know, they're the three options that I have.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41And three options I'm considering very carefully.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44When I do make a decision, it's going to be one
0:17:44 > 0:17:46that I have thought long and hard about
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and one that I feel comfortable with.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54On the night the Olympics come to a spectacular close,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Rory is back making golfing headlines on the other side of the world.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- COMMENTARY:- When he looks at a target with those eyes, he is so focused.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16There is something special about the way he just looks.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18A four-shot lead.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Now, the last nine begins for championship leader McIlroy.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29He wins the final major of the year,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33Six-shot lead.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I don't think we predicted on the severity of this golf course
0:18:36 > 0:18:40that we were going to have a runaway winner.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Could you miss one, maybe? Just to make us feel better.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45He's not going to do it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50This is for the all-time margin of victory in PGA Championship history.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52To break Nicklaus' record of seven.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Yes!
0:18:54 > 0:19:00The new ruler of the game of golf is Rory McIlroy.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It is my honour and privilege to present to you
0:19:03 > 0:19:07the Wanamaker trophy as the 2012 PGA champion.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Rory rewrites the record books once again.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20There was a few things written about me in the media during that time
0:19:20 > 0:19:22where I wasn't playing so well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24People were very quick to write me off
0:19:24 > 0:19:27after a couple of bad tournaments.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Getting criticism, especially criticism that you feel is unfair,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35definitely spurs you on. It motivates you just to prove everyone wrong.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39I knew if I stayed patient it would all turn around.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45I went in with nothing to lose. I just wanted to go out and enjoy it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I sort of had a bit of change in attitude as well.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Those bad weeks were getting me down a little bit,
0:19:51 > 0:19:52I was getting hard on myself.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56I had a change of attitude, I just wanted to go out and enjoy it.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Playing golf for a living is what I've always wanted to do.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00It was my dream.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm living my dream, so there's no point in not enjoying it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05You've got to enjoy yourself out there
0:20:05 > 0:20:07and that's what I started to try and do.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The major success sparks the start of a remarkable winning streak.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Three weeks later in Boston,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Rory clinches his third tournament victory of the season.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31The Deutsche Bank Championship,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35and another trophy secure and another 1.5 million prize.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40And there was more to come in Indiana.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Rory wins the BMW Championship.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49A second title in seven days, his third in four events
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and yet another million dollars in the bank.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02So, to the final tournament of the American golfing season.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08All the top players are in Atlanta for the FedEx Cup play-off.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15There's an incredible first prize of 10 million.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22Rory arrives in pole position after his sensational run of form.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26On this occasion he has to settle for the runners-up spot.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Still, he's done enough to win the US Money List
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and be crowned the best player of the year.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37There is also a bonus of yet another 3 million.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43I never played golf for the money or to gain wealth from it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47I just played it because I loved it and I wanted to win tournaments.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51You know, it just so happens there's a lot of money in golf these days.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54I'm very fortunate to be able to play it for a living
0:21:54 > 0:21:56and obviously make such a great living from it.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59But none on offer next week, of course.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02No, and probably more important than any of this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07The Ryder Cup is the biannual meeting between Europe and America.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11There is only a famous trophy and pride at stake.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The Medinah Club in Chicago was the venue
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and Rory prepares to spearhead the European challenge.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26As world number one there are reminders everywhere
0:22:26 > 0:22:29of his importance to the team.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Rory's gonna getcha.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35How cool is that?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Rory lives up to his star billing on day one,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42winning his opening match.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45CHEERING
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And he adds to the drama on day two.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56His timing might just be perfect.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03But Rory's timing is far from perfect on the final day as Europe trail America.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07With only minutes to go until his match
0:23:07 > 0:23:09with the USA's in-form player Keegan Bradley...
0:23:11 > 0:23:13..Rory is nowhere to be seen.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20I thought my tee time was 12.25 and not 11.25.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22So from the start I was an hour late.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Caroline was in Beijing, I got up and I called her
0:23:26 > 0:23:28and I was on Skype to her for maybe an hour.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32I hung up from her with an hour and 45 to go before my tee time.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37So it was perfect, hop in the shower, get dressed, get my stuff together.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40No-one's seen him or heard him all morning.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Trying to work out what's happened to him.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46At one point we thought he might have been kidnapped.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50How do the US win the Ryder Cup?
0:23:50 > 0:23:51Get rid of our best player.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We're calling his mobile and it's gone straight to voicemail.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Trying to get through to him and I couldn't.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I asked one of the girls to go up to his room with 40 minutes to go.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I got a phone call from my manager, he said to me,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08"Are you at the golf course?" "No, I'm not, I'm just leaving my hotel room."
0:24:08 > 0:24:11He said, "Rory, you're teeing off in 25 minutes."
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I was like, "No, I'm not, I'm teeing off in an hour and 25 minutes."
0:24:14 > 0:24:18He's like, "No, seriously. You're at the course, you're winding me up."
0:24:18 > 0:24:21I'm like, "I'm not. I'm leaving the hotel right now."
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Luckily they had a state trooper waiting for me downstairs
0:24:24 > 0:24:27and we were able to bypass most of the traffic.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33It was the most worried and most nervous and most panicked
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I've ever been going to a golf course.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Not any warm up or any sort of preparations.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45So I said to him, "Look, I have food in the bag and nobody will know.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47"Come into the locker room."
0:24:47 > 0:24:48I said just hang in the first six holes.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Keegan was running around the first tee two hours beforehand, so he'll burn himself out.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Morning!- Morning!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59'The smiles and the laughs, they were for show.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03'Inside I was so panicked and nervous.'
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Another chapter in the book.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Get the job done today, brother.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'But, you know, I thought the only thing for me to do here
0:25:11 > 0:25:16'is not to show Keegan how worried I am.'
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Rory's pulse may be racing,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22but he quickly shows why he is the world's best player.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Hello, hello, hello.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28CHEERING
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Luckily I was able to somehow win the point for Europe,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35and not feel like I was responsible for the loss of the Ryder Cup.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Hey, buddy. Good job. Well done.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Rory helped Europe to the most remarkable
0:25:42 > 0:25:44comeback in Ryder Cup history.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45..that's from me for Christmas.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49I was just trying to figure out time zones.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Everybody makes sure he doesn't forget his late arrival.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Clarkey!
0:26:07 > 0:26:10CROWD: # Rory, what's the time? Rory, Rory, what's the time?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13# Rory, what's the time?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15# Rory, Rory, what's the time? #
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It was just amazing that that happened,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and amazing he got there 11 minutes before his tee time
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and went out there and won his game. The legend grows.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Whoa!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Rory's busy schedule continues.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44A week after the Ryder Cup he arrived in Turkey
0:26:44 > 0:26:48with Caroline to play in an invitational event.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50There's massive hype around the tournament
0:26:50 > 0:26:53which is being billed as a shootout between Rory
0:26:53 > 0:26:59and the man who's dominated world golf for over a decade, Tiger Woods.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02It is like a dream come true.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Playing alongside him and getting to compete against him,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I always had a putt on the putting green in Holywood
0:27:09 > 0:27:13to beat Tiger in the British Open or the Masters or whatever it was.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16To be able to go toe to toe with him,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19hopefully for the next few years, is an exciting prospect.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Did you guys get in yesterday, or...?
0:27:25 > 0:27:29Rory is set to go head to head with Tiger for the very first time.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Despite the blossoming friendship,
0:27:33 > 0:27:38their box office rivalry is set to define golf over the coming years.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41I think the first time I ever played with him
0:27:41 > 0:27:44was at Abu Dhabi in a practice round.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Our friendship has certainly grown from there, but the more time
0:27:48 > 0:27:52you're out here, the more time you're able to build a relationship.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Especially when you get paired with him a lot.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Some guys you never see, and other guys you seem to get paired up with
0:27:58 > 0:28:00every other week you play.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Winning golf tournaments takes care of that.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09It takes care of all the awards, player of the year,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12money title and world rankings.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15He won quite a few tournaments and he won a big one,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19he won a major championship, hence he's number one player in the world.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33In his real dominance, the early 2000s,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36he worked harder than anyone else
0:28:36 > 0:28:38and was more dedicated to the game than anyone else.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42That's why he had the results that he did.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45I'm not sure if I'll ever get to the stage that he got to,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49but I'd like to think I'll still be able to play some really good golf
0:28:49 > 0:28:53like I've shown over the last couple of years and keep this run going.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Two weeks later Rory and Tiger are again the headline act.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06This time in the Far East.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11For sponsors, they're the dream ticket
0:29:11 > 0:29:15and if Rory is to stay at the top, the message from Tiger is simple.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Thanks, Tiger. Enjoyed it. Thank you.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22It's delegation of time.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Time management skills are a must.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29The reason why I got there is because I practised my ass off.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31He's done the same.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Media, other requests, blah blah blah.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39It starts taking time away from your preparations.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40He's done a pretty good job of it,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43he went through a spell this year where he didn't play well.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45He went back home and just practised.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Lo and behold he turned it around.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Please welcome at 11-under par, from Northern Ireland,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53the world number one Rory McIlroy.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Rory's year draws to a close in Dubai.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01He has already become the second golfer ever
0:30:01 > 0:30:05to top the Money List on both sides of the Atlantic.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08But for good measure, this putt secures a victory
0:30:08 > 0:30:11in the last event of the European Tour season.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13CHEERING
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I wanted to just finish off the season in style.
0:30:33 > 0:30:362012 has been a great season for me.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39I thought it would be a shame to come here and just play,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41and let the season end timidly in a way.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44I wanted to finish it with a bang and I was able to do it.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48I played some of the best golf I've played in a while out there.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Thank you, thank you.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Congratulations.- Well done, son.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03- Well done. Well played.- Thank you.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04- Nice finish.- I needed it.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08'You can see there are a lot of people on the course watching him all the time.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11'It's fun to play in front of a big crowd,'
0:31:11 > 0:31:14but I think he stayed the same throughout the whole time,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17that's the most important thing.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It really has been a day to remember.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23'Five years as a pro, that was my 10th win.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27'Two majors, world number one. I mean, I didn't expect it.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31'I always had dreams and aspirations to get to this point.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'I never thought I could get there so quickly.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37'It's been an incredible journey, I've had a lot of support
0:31:37 > 0:31:40'and obviously support from back home in Northern Ireland.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43'My mum and dad, my friends and family.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46'It's great to share these moments with them.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52'Every goal that I set myself this year I was able to achieve.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54'I got to world number one.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58'I won another major, I won five times around the world.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02'I won the Race to Dubai.' Caroline.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09'I guess more majors is the big thing for me.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12'I've got two already and I'd love to make that three or four next year.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'So, that's the big goal going into next year.'
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Try and obviously keep the world number one ranking,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21try and keep it for as long as possible, but ultimately try and get
0:32:21 > 0:32:23myself in the best possible shape for the majors.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34In 2012 Rory McIlroy ascended to the top of the golfing world.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42The question now being asked is how big can he become?
0:32:48 > 0:32:51He's unequivocally number one and deservedly so.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55His golf is of a standard that very few other people can match.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00For Northern Ireland to have the number one ranked player
0:33:00 > 0:33:02on the planet is a huge privilege for us.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04He's only going to keep getting better and better.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10I think he's really important to the world of golf.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Wherever he goes he conducts himself so magnificently when he plays.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17We're very lucky to have him, I think Rory gives an awful lot back.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20He doesn't just play brilliantly, he's a great young man.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Despite the success,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28Rory McIlroy is still regarded as the boy from Holywood.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Is this not for Dad?
0:33:32 > 0:33:37Now aged 23, he's about to sign a deal reportedly worth
0:33:37 > 0:33:41around 250 million with sports manufacturer Nike.
0:33:41 > 0:33:47But what remains important for Rory is always staying true to his roots.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51'Looking back at videos like that, getting my first mobile phone...'
0:33:51 > 0:33:55A mobile phone! Oh my God! Thanks.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00'I know that I've come a very long way in a short space of time
0:34:00 > 0:34:04'and I definitely feel like it's very beneficial to look back.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07'And look back at how hard my mum and dad worked
0:34:07 > 0:34:12'to give me this opportunity and I think it's very important
0:34:12 > 0:34:14'to keep things like that in perspective.'
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Oh yes! Oh, yes! Oh, yes!
0:34:16 > 0:34:18'I'll always view Northern Ireland as home,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20'my mum and dad are still there.'
0:34:20 > 0:34:23I miss things like going to Ravenhill on a Friday night
0:34:23 > 0:34:26or just going and hanging out with the boys,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30playing five-a-side a couple of nights a week or whatever it is.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33But that's just not my life any more.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37That's the way it is, and I'm very happy with my life now,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40I wouldn't change it for the world.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41# You could be the hero
0:34:41 > 0:34:43# You could hit the goal
0:34:43 > 0:34:46# Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke
0:34:46 > 0:34:47# Do it for your people
0:34:47 > 0:34:48# Do it for your pride
0:34:48 > 0:34:52# Never gonna know, if you never even try
0:34:52 > 0:34:54# Do it for your country, do it for your name
0:34:54 > 0:34:56# Cos there gonna be a day
0:34:56 > 0:35:01# When you are standing in the hall of fame
0:35:01 > 0:35:05# And the world's gonna know your name... #
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd