Rory McIlroy reveals his 'Mount Rushmore' of golf courses

When Rory McIlroy appeared as a guest on “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by brothers Travis and Jason Kelce, McIlroy fans learned a few new nuggets about the golfing great, including his lack of familiarity with Mount Rushmore.

When McIlroy was asked to name his Rushmore of golf courses, he needed to clarify that meant four, not fully understanding the reference to the majestic South Dakota mountains with the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into them.

“I should probably know that," McIlroy said.

“We’ve never asked that to someone not from America,” Travis said, breaking into laughter. “That’s so good.”

Rory McIlroy takes questions at a news conference after the pro am ahead of the 2026 Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club.

McIlroy thought quickly on his feet and determined he’d pick four different geographical locations. He chose Kingston Heath on the Melbourne Sandbelt of Australia, Royal County Down in his native Northern Ireland, Pine Valley in New Jersey and Cypress Point in California.

“That’s so hard because I’m leaving out so many great golf courses,” McIlroy said. “It’s hard to do four but those would be the four off the top of my head.”

"You took us around the world, so, that’s pretty dope,” Travis said. “You gave us four that I haven’t played yet."

No. 13 at Kingston Heath in Victoria, Aiustralia (Photo: Visit Victoria/Gary Lisbon)

Hard to argue McIlroy’s selections, though we can always quibble, which have the following ranking on  lists: