Northern Ireland

Rory McIlroy dons Liverpool jersey after losing Late Late Show putting wager with Patrick Kielty

Man Utd fan McIlroy took part in fun bet with Late Late Show host as Irish Open takes place at Royal County Down

Rory McIlroy wears a red Liverpool FC jersey after losing a putting wager with Patrick Kielty in a segment in Friday's Late Late Show on RTÉ One.
Rory McIlroy wears a red Liverpool FC jersey after losing a putting wager with Patrick Kielty in a segment in Friday's Late Late Show on RTÉ One.
By Paul Ainsworth

Golfer Rory McIlroy donned a Liverpool jersey after the diehard Manchester United fan lost a wager with Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty.

The joke bet was screened on Friday’s edition of the flagship RTÉ chat show, ahead of the Co Down star’s performance on Saturday in the Irish Open at Newcastle’s Royal County Down.

Viewers saw Holywood’s McIlroy join Kielty for a putting contest at the world-class course, with the pair deciding that the loser would have to don a Liverpool FC jersey.

The pair are both supporters of rival Premier League side Man Utd, and Friday’s segment saw Kielty joke that he “felt dirty” holding the Red Devils top ahead of the wager.

Kielty hit a putt that world number 3 McIlroy admitted was “not bad”, before the pro golfer made a shot that ended further from the hole.

“So sorry Rory, but a bet is a bet,” the Dundrum-raised comedian said as McIroy put the jersey on, to the strains of Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Rory McIlroy with Patrick Kielty after losing a putting wager in a segment on Friday's Late Late Show on RTÉ One.
Rory McIlroy with Patrick Kielty after losing a putting wager at Royal County Down. PICTURE: RTÉ

“Oh my goodness, that’s so bad,” the golfer said as he pulled himself into the jersey, while those watching at the side of the green laughed and applauded.

Meanwhile, speaking on the Late Late Show, 35-year-old McIlroy opened up about his personal life in a year that saw him announce in May that he was to divorce his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, before later confirming that the divorce was being called off and the couple - who share a three-year-old daughter - were staying together.

“There’s been a lot going on this year and then obviously personal wise as well,” he said.

“Sometimes life can get a lot and get too much and I had to take a little bit of a break and get away from the game more than anything else.”

He said the “business of golf had become all-consuming to me the last couple of years”.

He added: “I needed to take a bit of time away to realise what was important to me. Friends, family, enjoying myself, enjoying the fact you were this little boy in Holywood and you’ve grown up to be whatever it is that I am and I need to enjoy it.”