Rory McIlroy laces up for cancer charity

• Rory McIlroy to wear four different shoe styles at Irish Open
• All styles have designed by children affected by cancer
• McIlroy looking to win a tournament he classes as a ‘fifth major’

Rory McIlroy, the Rory Foundation and Nike have teamed up with the Cancer Fund for Children in Northern Ireland to raise funds and awareness during this week’s Irish Open.

And the No.1 golfer in the world will be donning four different styles of Nike Lunar Control 3 golf shoes across the four days of the tournament, with each pair designed by a child whose life has been impacted by cancer.

The four selected colourways were created by kids on NIKEiD during a weekend at the organisation’s log cabin in Newcastle and McIlroy is looking forward to lacing up each pair as he looks to win a tournament he classes as a ‘fifth major’.

“I’m delighted that the young people associated with the Cancer Fund for Children got to design my shoes,” said McIlroy, whose Foundation was established to give kids support they may need through a variety of children’s charities.

“The shoes are really unique with some crazy designs. The Irish Open is going to be a very special event for golf and my Foundation and I am excited to compete in them this week.”

So, lets take a greater look at the designs Rory McIlroy will be wearing this week.

Round 1 – Designed by Sara Lockhart

For the opening round, McIlroy will wear Sara’s shoe design with a red toe box, purple lining, an orange midsole topline and volt green lacing – one of the most colourful shoes of the bunch. Sara, 12, said she did her research before beginning her design.

“I read online that Rory really likes different shades of green so I combined that with some of my favorite colours. I really love art and am so happy my design was chosen,” Sara said.

Sara, who also loves swimming and playing the piano, became involved with the Cancer Fund for Children when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was a very worrying time but the Cancer Fund for Children helped a lot,” Sara said. “I am very proud of Rory because he has done so well for himself and still helps young people such as me through his work with the organisation.”

Round 2 – Designed by Ryan Keenan

On Friday, McIlroy will wear a grey and green Lunar Control 3 designed by Ryan Keenan. Ryan selected the words, ‘Go Rory’, for the tongues of the shoes.

“I chose the colours because it is for the Irish Open and they are colours associated with Ireland,” Ryan said. “It will be amazing and really exciting to see Rory wearing shoes I have designed.”

The Cancer Fund for Children helped Ryan, 16, find solace after he discovered his mum had cancer.

“When my mum became diagnosed and was going though operations, I became very sad and worried,” Ryan said. “Attending time at the log cabin allowed me to just get away from it all for a weekend and be with people in a similar situation who knew what I was going through.”

Round 3 – Designed by Chloe Hyndman

To start the weekend, the world No. 1 will sport a blue and white colourway created by Chloe.

“My design is a combination of what I would wear and what I thought Rory would like,” Chloe said. “I picked black and white to make them look professional, but then added a print to keep them fun and recent. I also added blue to make them more colorful, and to ensure that all eyes will be on Rory on the course!”

As part of the NIKEiD process, Chloe included ‘Irish Open’ on the tongue of the shoes. Chloe, 15, has been supported by the charity since she was a 12-year-old.

“I was 11 when my mum was diagnosed with cancer. It was a really difficult time and I really didn’t understand what was going on,” Chloe said. “Spending time away with the Cancer Fund for Children has made me realise I am not alone and that I will be alright in the end.”

Round 4 – Designed by Alex Kernaghan

On Sunday, Rory McIlroy will wear a multi-coloured version of the shoe created by Alex Kernaghan, 13. The design features yellow, green, white and blue for a unique colourway.

“It says ‘Be You’ on my Nike shoes because that’s all you ever should be – yourself. I also added in a bit of blue as it’s my dad’s favorite colour and yellow to represent the charity,” Alex said.

The children were presented with their very own pair of Lunar Control 3 shoes complete with their designs, gifts from Nike and the Rory Foundation.

Rory McIlroy’s shoes :: Your thoughts

What do you make of designs Rory McIlroy will be sporting at this week’s Irish Open? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.