Rory McIlroy On Why He Dislikes Roy Keane

Roy Keane turned down an autograph request as a child and he hasn't forgotten...

Rory McIlroy On Why He Dislikes Roy Keane

Rory McIlroy has revealed that Roy Keane turned down an autograph request as a child and he hasn't forgotten...

Rory McIlroy On Why He Dislikes Roy Keane

Ever met one of your stars only for them to turn down an autograph request?

Well that's what happened with Manchester United fan Rory McIlroy when he met Roy Keane.

Related: Rory McIlroy's gym routine revealed

McIlroy was speaking of the disappointment in the lead-up to this week's Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

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The four-time major winner told Sky Sports, "I went and asked for his (Keane's) autograph at the Portmarnock Links Hotel when he was with the Ireland squad, and he said no.

Rory McIlroy On Why He Dislikes Roy Keane

McIlroy is playing with his Dad in this week's Dunhill Links Championship

"It just sort of stuck with me I guess.

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"So that's why, if a kid asks me for an autograph, I always try to do it."

The four-time major winner also spoke about getting golf balls from his favourite golf stars at Wentworth as a kid after his video handing a fan a golf ball went viral.

"I remember going and watching the World Match Play at Wentworth every October, and getting golf balls from Mark O'Meara or Sam Torrance.

"And I remember how good I felt. But I've had it go the other way, where I asked someone for an autograph as a kid and they didn't give it to me.

Related: Rory McIlroy: How I Practice

"(Keane) should be one of my heroes as a United player, but I've never liked him since."

"Every time I need a new one I look for a young kid in the crowd between holes to give it to them," the 28-year-old said.

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"I was surprised how that little moment last week became so big. But it just shows what such a small thing to me can mean to a kid, and that kid might be inspired to go and play.".

McIlroy plays what is meant to be his final event of 2017 this week at the Dunhill Links Championship.

Related: Who is Rory McIlroy's new caddie Harry Diamond?

The 28-year-old has had a busy 2017, finishing 2nd twice at the South African Open in January and the British Masters last week.

He has struggled with a rib injury all season in a year that has seen him get married and change equipment to TaylorMade.

Will he get his first win of the season this week?

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV