PERSONAL
Picked up the sport at age 7 with his brothers at the urging of his dad.
Says standing on the 18th green at Pebble Beach after winning the U.S. Open is his biggest thrill in golf.
Played numerous sports as a youngster, but, as he says, "golf always won.".
Earned an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ulster, along with, among others, Liverpool Football Club manager Kenny Dalglish, broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan and actress Susan Lynch.