Rory McIlroy is already a winner with Thursday's look at the U.S. Open.
Getty Images In the world of golf fashion, there is a short list of pros whom you could describe as particularly sartorially savvy. Tiger Woods , once synonymous with Nike, and now wearing his own brand, Sun Day Red , and Adam Scott , who has worn Uniqlo since 2013, have always been polished and traditional on the course, wearing mostly well-tailored earth tones and flattering neutrals. Billy Horschel, a longtime Ralph Lauren partner, has taken a few risks over the course of his career — remember the famous octopus pants ? — but has made a name for himself as a fashionable player by mixing conservative staples and trendy colors and prints with aplomb.
In recent years, Rory McIlroy has made huge gains in on-course style. Part of that is simply McIlroy growing up. It’s easy to forget that he was just 18 years old when he turned pro in 2007.
Now, he’s 35, a husband and a father, and his apparel has matured along with him. Nike, the brand McIlroy has worn since 2013, famously does not share sponsorship when it comes to apparel, and Nike athletes sport the swoosh from head to toe. This stipulation alone elevates the outfits; they’re clean, never fussy, never busy.
McIlroy has also embraced more youthful trends and silhouettes that other golfers on the brand’s roster don’t, like European, slim-fit tailoring. As I watched the opening round at Pinehurst No. 2 on Thursday, McIlroy was the clear winne.
