This was interesting look at the life of Rory McElroy sadly written right before his Master’s triumph which would have added a lot and possibly changed a bit of this book.

I’m not a huge Golf fan but found that Timothy M Gay did a really great job putting together a compelling narrative of McElroy’s life and an intriguing portrait of a unique man and golfer.

The author puts a lot of own opinions and humour into the book and I must admit that I found Ito be a bit hit and miss.

All in, this was a pretty enjoyable book that I feel like Golf fans will really enjoy and general sport fans could learn a lot from.

This was a very solid 3.75-4 Star/5 star read

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

It's difficult to read "Rory Land" and not think about how much the book would have changed had he written it a few months later ... or a few years later.

Timothy M. Gay obviously put a lot of effort in this biography of Rory McIlroy, one of the world's best and most famous golfers. The story line must have seemed set when it was finished, oh, probably late last year. Rory was the comet who blossomed into a superstar at an early age, only to develop the habit of not winning major championship soon after that.

Then in April, McIlroy finally went out and slayed that dragon. He won the Masters title in slightly messy but a typically exciting way. The arc of the story has been altered, and we don't know where it's headed.

It's easy to wonder, then, what the reaction of Gay might have been when McIlroy sank that last putt to win the playoff in Augusta. Certainly he couldn't have been upset that the subject of the soon-to-be-published biography was a topic of conversation around the golfing world for days, growing the fan base of the Northern Ireland native in the process. On the other hand, McIlroy is no longer the sympathetic equivalent of Sisyphus, the Greek mythology figure doomed to push a rock up a hill only to have it fall back down the slope.

McIlroy's golf career seems to have entered a new phase. Now he's one of the handful of golfers who have won the career Grand Slam - victories in the four major championships. It will be fascinating to see how McIlroy reacts to that. Free from the constant pressure of expectations, he may start winning majors with regularity through the peak of his playing days (at 36 as of this writing, he has some prime years left). On the other hand, he could relax a bit with the dragon slayed, even if he doesn't realize it at the time. It will be fascinating to watch.

Marketing matters aside, most of the book wouldn't be changed if it had been written this morning - so don't let that stop you if you're interested in McIlroy. He has had an uncommon life, with plenty of influencing factors ... starting with his birthplace.

McIlroy hails from Northern Ireland, born to a Catholic family in a mostly Protestant region. You probably know about the Troubles that took part in the world for many years. Rory's family tree has some difficult twists and turns, as Gay discovered, because of all that. But the situation has settled down a bit in the last 25 years ago. McIlroy never chose to make religion a big part of her life. He was too busy worrying about getting a tee time later in the week. If anything, the golfer became a unifying factor for both sides of the divide in that area.

McIlroy was playing golf by age three, and dreaming at age seven of becoming a pro golfer someday. Upon reaching double digits, it was obvious that McIlroy was something of a prodigy and had a chance to be something special. His working class parents had to sacrifice a great deal to support their son, as they worked extra jobs and spent little on themselves. In his teens Rory was headed to the United States every so often to find better competition.

McIlroy was a young man in a hurry by that point, and he wasn't too interested in books unless they were written by Nicklaus and Hogan. Rory left school and was playing in top events by the age of 16. He turned pro at 18 in 2007, and didn't need much time to make an impact. In 2009, Rory bought his parents a house and told them they'd never have to work another day in their lives. That promise certainly has been kept.

McIlroy won four majors between 2011 and 2014 inclusive, and seemed to have a chance to be one of the all-time greats. Along the way, he's been very visible in the public eye, whether it's through endorsements or relationships (the tabloid press, you know). The 10-year drought changed the script a bit. He's still a great player, but perhaps not as good we thought he might be. McIlroy has become a thoughtful, interesting personality along the way, and it's easy to wonder what he might be like if taken the more traditional route of finishing high school and enrolling in college, But, as we know now, there's still some time to add to his life story.

Gay starts off a little slowly, trying to capture the whirl around McIlroy's life in recent years. The now-veteran has been involved in the "fight" between the PGA Tour in America and the Saudi's LIV Tour - all while trying to win a major. And there are a lot of golf shots described here, especially in describing the wins and near-misses. But for the most part, the author settles in nicely to presenting the story, aided by the occasional use of some hilarious footnotes. Gay - who has a couple of other good sports books to his credit - put in the hours of research to make this work, and it shows.

"Rory Lane" fills the assignment of showing what the first act of Rory McIlroy's life has been like. The book no doubt will increase your interest in following along as he takes it into the second act.

I loved the book. As a fan of Rory, I thought it did a great job of giving his biography. Found it inspiring in moments. I also really liked the cover

Rory Land is the biography of Rory McIlroy, a popular and prominent golfer on the PGA TOUR, who hails from Northern Ireland and has also won multiple times in Europe and Asia.

Timothy M. Gay takes the reader on a journey from McIlroy's childhood and his early golf career to the highs and lows of his professional career. The book showcases how McIlroy has navigated his career, being the face of the PGA TOUR as they weigh a potential merger with LIV Golf and how he has handled the ever changing landscape of professional golf.

I felt I learned quite a bit about who Rory McIlroy is while reading this book. He's a complex man who is trying to be the best at his craft, but also trying to be the best person he can be. The book gives you a very good look at a man who came from humble beginnings who has risen to be one of the best golfers of his generation.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Rory McIlroy is a name instantly recognizable to golf fans. He burst onto golf’s scene in the 2010’s by winning four majors, but until his recent win in the 2025 Masters, he was stuck on that figure for 11 years. This book (completed before that Masters victory) by Timothy M. Gay, tells the complete and complicated story of one of the most popular golfers today.

The cover shows McIlroy with colors from the Irish flag. However, he hails from Hollywood, County Down in Northern Ireland and Rory, to this day, has conflicting emotions on which country he represents. His great uncle was killed during The Troubles, the long war between Catholics and Protestants that ravaged Northern Ireland. This is just part of the extensive picture Gay includes of McIlroy and his family in his formative years.

There is also a lot of good material about McIlroy after he becomes a PGA member off the course. His romantic interests, including the very public engagement and subsequent break-up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, his current marriage to Erica Stoll and other flings that kept tabloid reporters very busy. Also well documented by Gay was McIlroy’s public denouncing of the LIV golf tour (before they and the PGA came to an agreement), his changing of his management company and his great love for his parents. No matter the topic, if it involved McIlroy, Gay made sure to include it.

Of course, the writing about McIlroy’s successes and struggles on the course are quite good as well. McIlroy’s game is great off the tee but his putting issues are practically legendary in a not-so-flattering way. Whether it’s a major tournament, on of the other non-major events or his representation on the European Ryder Cup team, the description of the action on the course is great. The last few chapters of the book are heavy on this content and it does feel fitting to do so. This book really show the complexity of the character that is Rory McIlroy.

I wish to thank Regalo Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Post Hill Press for the ARC of Rory Land in exchange for feedback.
My husband and Dad are big golf watchers and Rory fans. I requested the book for them since they are big fans.
The book describes Rory's early life in Ireland and his ups and downs playing golf. Sometimes controversial, while being vocal against the LIV league, there is no denying that he loves the game of golf.
Read the book to understand the title! Great book for golf-enthusiasts.

I can honestly say that this book is definitely worth reading and fun to read I love sports and would recommend this book to anyone who loves sports. I love Golf it is such a fun sport but can also be challenging at times.

Rory Land is a biography of Rory Mcllroy a successful and beloved professional golfer from Northern Ireland. Mcllroy has won golf tournaments on the US based PGA tour as well as in Europe and Asia.
Mcllroy is known for his affability, his willingness to engage with fans especially younger fans seeking an autograph or a picture.

Mcllory has also been known recently for his activism regrading the Saudi Arabian backed lIV tour. He was dead set against the tour and then when the PGA of America began talks to possibly merge with LIV, Mcllroy reversed his position and then subsequently decided to decline public comment about the situation.
The author Timothy M. Gay provides a tremendous amount of background information regarding Mcllroy's family history and his early success as a golfer.
Fans of Mcllroy and golf will find this book entertaining and informative. Those who are already fond of Mcllory will admire him even more after reading this book. The book will not convince the folks who do not care for Mcllory to change their minds, however they may develop a begrudging respect for his rise to prominence from humble beginnings.

In *Rory Land*, Timothy M. Gay delivers a compelling and, more importantly, human portrait of golf superstar Rory McIlroy—an athlete whose talent and charisma have made him a PGA Tour favorite. Gay explores the highs and lows of McIlroy’s career, peeling back the layers of a man navigating fame, personal convictions, and a shifting professional landscape. It’s an engaging, thought-provoking read that offers both fans and critics a richer understanding of one of golf’s most fascinating figures.