Grew up in Holywood, Northern Ireland, as the only child of parents Rosie and Gerry.

Signed a National Letter of Intent to play college golf at East Tennessee State University but decided to continue playing amateur golf in Europe until turning professional in 2007.

Fan of Premier League club Manchester United.

Earned an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2012 at the age of 22 for his services to sport.

In 2022, became the first player from outside the United States to serve on the PGA TOUR Policy Board.

Named the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, following Dai Rees (1957) and Nick Faldo (1989) as the third golfer to earn the prestigious award. Other notable recipients, who must either be British or reside and play a significant amount of their sport in the United Kingdom, through the years include David Beckham (2001), Andy Murray (2013, 2015, 2016), and Lewis Hamilton (2020).

At age 16, became youngest player to win the Irish Amateur Closed Championship in 2005.

Played his first professional event as a 16-year-old in 2005 at The Belfry.

Shot a course-record 61 at Royal Portrush GC in 2005.

Represented Europe on the winning Junior Ryder Cup team in 2004, before becoming the youngest winner of the West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships in 2005.

The following year he successfully retained both Irish amateur titles and in August 2006 he won the European Amateur.

Turned professional after representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup.