Rory McIlroy is one of the biggest names in golf but perhaps surprisingly, has not been awarded a membership at one of the sport’s most prestigious venues, Augusta National.
The memberships at the exclusive Georgian club have largely been shrouded in mystery. No one can apply to join, you have to be invited, with very few golfing names featured on leaked lists of those inducted.
Rare confirmations of new members have been kept to big names from other sectors. In 2012, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore were announced as the first two female members.
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At least four more women have since joined, including iconic Swede Annika Sorenstam. She described her induction as “one of the happiest days” of her golfing career.
Fortunately there are other ways to play on the course rather than memberships, which have been extended to a few big names in the golfing world, but McIlroy remains on the waiting list.
PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne, who played a key role in the initial framework between the tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, is a member.
American golfer Jeff Knox, who has played with McIlroy on several occasions, is reportedly the youngest member. He also holds the course record with an 11-under 61 off the member’s tees.
Jack Nicklaus is a member and Arnold Palmer was before he passed away in 2016, while other Masters champions are considered honourary members. One of Britain’s top amateur golfers and former R&A Secretary Sir Michael Bonallack was another of the sport’s names to hold a membership before his death last year.
But aside from those few golf figures, membership at the presitgous Augusta extends solely to those from other walks of life.
Membership is considered the pinnacle of corporate success and five billionaires boast entry, including Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.
Many US Presidents have played the course but Dwight D. Eisenhower is the only to have worn the club’s Green Jacket, a member from 1948 until his death, with a tree on the 17th hole named after him.
McIlroy’s wait goes on but he does not struggle for a tee time, having revealed that he holds memberships to a host of impressive venues across the globe.
When asked how many memberships the four-time Major winner holds, he replied: "Gotta go country by country here… 12, 13.”
He also revealed that he pays for one just so his father, Gerry, can play in Florida: "Can I include Seminole? Because I pay for that for my dad.
“My favourite is the R&A [The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews]. I think that’s probably my favourite.”
