Rory McIlory’s public popularity is now higher than the three main global brands which he represents, major new research has revealed. The World’s No.1 golfer has now overtaken Nike, Bose and the Swiss watchmaker Omega, according to a scientific study.

The data analytics company, Adoreboard, a tech start up based at Queen‰ŪŖs University, Belfast, claims that McIlroy‰ŪŖs online brand reputation is soaring – just short of the likes of Coca Cola, but ahead of Pepsi and BMW when compared during the week of last month‰ŪŖs Australian Open championship.

The study tracked McIlroy for more than six months ‰ŪŅ since the time he called off his engagement to the tennis star Caroline Wozniaki in May when his ratings dipped significantly to his Open golf championship in July and September‰ŪŖs Ryder Cup triumphs when his popularity rocketed.