Rory McIlroy is a massive Manchester United fan, but his relationship with Roy Keane hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
The 2025 Masters winner once met Roy Keane as a child, and approached his childhood hero for an autograph, which he rejected.
“I went over and asked him for an autograph,” he recounted on the Stick to Football podcast in January. McIlroy continued: “He looked up at me – he was sitting down – he looked up, and he goes, ‘Not today, kid’. I was like, ‘OK’.”
Since telling that story to Keane on the podcast, McIlroy has won the Masters and a home Ryder Cup, and he returned with a peace offering for Keane.
The gift Rory McIlroy gave to Roy Keane
McIlroy returned to the Stick to Football podcast and gave Keane an incredible gift as a peace offering.
It was a flag from the 2025 Masters from Augusta National, with a heartfelt message written on it.
McIlroy had written, “Thanks for all the great memories watching United over the years- Rory McIlroy, Masters champion.”
All these years after Keane snubbed McIlroy for an autograph, the tables have turned – it’s McIlroy handing out signatures to Keane now!
The reason why Roy Keane didn’t sign an autograph for Rory McIlroy
When McIlroy confronted Keane about his autograph snubbing back in January, the seven-time Premier League winner was his typical cutting self.
Gary Neville asked Keane if it was true, and he said, “The only thing I do remember about that hotel; honestly, it was always like kids around, annoying the players.”
McIlroy and the rest of the table laughed as Keane continued, “Here’s another one…”.
Now that it’s all come full circle between the pair, it seems all is well between them.
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