Rory McIlroy's US mansion has skyrocketed in value since he bought it from golf icon

Regardless of the outcome at the Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy and his family will return to a life of luxury. As Team Europe's on-course leader and Masters champion, McIlroy is hoping to be part of the team that defends the trophy on US soil for the first time since 2012.

The Northern Irish star has accumulated substantial wealth from his golfing career, which he appears to have invested wisely, as evidenced by one of the homes he shares with wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy. Like many of his European teammates, McIlroy spends much of the year in Florida, while also owning properties in California and Surrey. His Florida residence is located within the exclusive Bear's Club in Jupiter, established by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus (also known as the Golden Bear) in 1999.

McIlroy moved into the mansion, previously owned by fellow golfer Ernie Els, in 2017, forking out around £8million. With property prices in the desirable area skyrocketing and subsequent upgrades, it's now estimated to be worth twice that amount.

The property, boasting nine bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, sprawls across 2.4 acres of land. It features an array of luxuries, including an infinity pool, a games room, a tennis court, a home theatre, a state-of-the-art gym and even a recording studio. It seems McIlroy has been too preoccupied to produce his first hit single.

Speaking about his decision to settle in the US, McIlroy once said: "My life is here. I have an American wife. I live in America. Honestly, I enjoy it here more. The way of life is easier. The weather. The convenience."

However, he has recently moved into a magnificent Surrey property, built as a retreat from Florida's intense summer heat. The residence, nestled in an exclusive area frequented by celebrities, enjoys easy access to London and Heathrow Airport, with the prestigious Wentworth Golf Club just a stone's throw away.

Earlier this year, he shared details about his new home with the Telegraph, saying: "Straight after Augusta, we travelled over to see the house as it was going through the finishing touches. It was fun to see and we could have stayed in it, but we wanted to get over to Holywood [his hometown]."

However, due to his continued playing commitments on the US-based PGA Tour, McIlroy is set to keep his Florida home, and who can blame him?