Rory McIlroy above Jack Grealish but below Tommy Fury in new research

Photo shows Rory McIlroy
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


It probably shouldn't come as any surprise to learn that Rory McIlroy is the most searched golfer in the UK and Ireland.

The Holywood star is a four-time major winner and currently ranked number three in the world. He is also one of the highest earning athletes on the planet.

And that means there is plenty of interest in McIlroy, especially when it comes to fans searching his name on the internet.

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New research conducted by Betway has revealed the most searched active UK and Irish athletes of 2024 and McIlroy sits prominently inside the top 10.

But you might be surprised to see whose name came out on top.

Professional boxer Tommy Fury is the most searched athlete with 550,500 average searches per month. The Love Island star's fan base stretches beyond sport as he has become a major television and YouTube celebrity.

Tommy edged out his brother and former World champion boxer Tyson who is second in the standings on 525,000 monthly searches. The self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King' is preparing for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, the man he lost to earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid and England football star Jude Bellingham is third in the list (498,000), followed by former US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu (475,000).

Anthony Joshua, Andy Murray, and Harry Kane are next, with McIlroy sitting joint eighth with Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton.

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McIlroy is the only golfer inside the top 25 with 301,000 searches.

Check out the top 15 below:

Rank

Athlete

Average Search

1

Tommy Fury

550,000

2

Tyson Fury

525,000

3

Jude Bellingham

498,000

4

Emma Raducanu

475,000

5

Anthony Joshua

450,000

6

Andy Murray

440,000

7

Harry Kane

368,000

8=

Lewis Hamilton

301,000

8=

Rory McIlroy

301,000

10

Lando Norris

245,000

11=

Jack Grealish

201,000

11=

Ronnie O'Sullivan

201,000

11=

Adam Peaty

201,000

14=

Marcus Rashford

165,000

14=

Mary Earps

165,000

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