Additional Coverage:
- Jeffrey Epstein’s pilot mocked Rory McIlroy over paying too much for his private jet (irishstar.com)
Local News Rewind: Rory McIlroy’s Jet Purchase Gets a Shout-Out in Epstein Files
In a truly bizarre twist in the ongoing saga of the Jeffrey Epstein document releases, golf superstar Rory McIlroy’s name has surfaced, not for any involvement with the disgraced financier’s heinous crimes, but rather for his taste in private jets.
An email from 2018, penned by Larry Visoski, a longtime pilot for Epstein, to Epstein’s accountant Rich Kahn, took an unexpected detour to discuss McIlroy’s then-recent acquisition of a Gulfstream G550. In the email, Visoski recounts a recent encounter with McIlroy (whose name he misspelled as “Rory Macilroy”) and details the specifics of the golfer’s new aerial ride.
“I just met our new neighbor at our office in Atlantic Aviation, Rory Macilroy the young Golfer,” the email reads. “His pilot told me he just bought serial 5113 in November (pretty sure of the serial #) G550 for $22M and spent $2M on paint and interior at Savannah.”
Visoski then adds a playful jab, suggesting McIlroy might have overpaid for his aircraft’s custom finishes. “It was bought and managed by a company called ZenFlight, sounds like they didn’t get a good price?? Somebody made some money!”
While the context of this email in the vast trove of Epstein’s documents remains unclear and seemingly unrelated to his criminal activities, it offers a peculiar glimpse into the social circles and casual conversations that apparently intertwined with Epstein’s world.
At the time of the 2018 email, McIlroy was already a seasoned professional with a substantial career. Having turned pro 11 years prior, his PGA Tour earnings alone amounted to approximately $30.5 million, not to mention additional income from numerous sponsorships and endorsements. This financial standing certainly put him in a comfortable position to make such a high-end purchase.
Fast forward to 2024, and McIlroy has since upgraded his private fleet, acquiring a 2022 Gulfstream G650ER. These luxurious jets can range in price from $40 million to $60 million, depending on the model year and usage. The new aircraft is reportedly registered under TVPX Aircraft Solutions, a trustee company for aircraft operations based in Utah.
Interestingly, the official registration date for McIlroy’s new jet, April 14, 2025, coincided with the final day of the 2025 Masters, a tournament McIlroy famously won to complete his career Grand Slam. McIlroy recently put his new G650ER to good use, flying home to Florida from Dubai just ahead of a TGL match, after competing in the Dubai Desert Classic.
So, while the Epstein files continue to unveil disturbing details, they also, in this instance, provided a quirky and unexpected mention of a golf legend’s private jet shopping spree.