Update: Rory McIlroy reminded Man United hero Roy Keane of autograph rejection before Masters win News

Roy Keane once turned down an autograph request from a young Rory McIlroy when the childhood Manchester United fan approached one of his heroes at an Irish hotel

Rory McIlroy completed the golf career grand slam after winning the Masters last weekend – but the one thing he does not have is Roy Keane’s autograph.

As a Manchester United fan, McIlory previously paraded the Claret Jug around Old Trafford before Louis van Gaal’s first competitive match a month after winning The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014. During a press conference on Sunday night at Augusta National, a journalist asked him whether he would do likewise with the green jacket.

“If it can inspire some better play, absolutely,” McIlroy joked. However, there are rumours he may do so on Thursday night when United host Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon after drawing 2-2 in France.

McIlroy’s support for the Reds dates back to his childhood, even surviving a brutal encounter with Keane. He recalled the incident during an appearance on episode 13 of the Stick to Football podcast published in early January last year.

On the show with Gary Neville, Keane, Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher, the former introduced McIlroy as a “massive Manchester United fan” before setting his guest up by adding “and your hero growing up was…” After a long pause, McIlroy answered: “David Beckham.”

The room erupted in laughter, and Neville asked: “Was that after your meeting with Roy Keane in a hotel in Ireland?” McIlroy teased, “It might have been, yeah,” before recalling the story.

“I was down at Portmarnock Links Hotel, and the Irish team were staying. I think it was a training camp, and I saw one of my Man United heroes in the lobby, Roy Keane.

“I went over and asked him for an autograph, and he looked up at me – he was sitting down – he looked up, and he goes, ‘Not today, kid’. [McIlory makes a shocked face] I was like, ‘OK’.

Neville interjected, remarking: “That’s awful, that’s awful.” Keane then asked, “No… that, is that true?” and McIlroy insisted: “It was. It was true.” They laughed again as Neville addressed Keane, adding: “It doesn’t sound like you, does it?” McIlroy, though, conceded, “It’s fine, you looked busy.”

Keane then claimed: “I was probably in the zone. Were we going training or?” McIlroy added, “I know you had your spats in the Irish team over the years, so I don’t know if you were just in a bad mindset, or I don’t know what was happening.”

Recalling his time there, Keane said: “No, the only thing I do remember about that hotel; honestly, it was always like kids around annoying the players.” They all laughed again as Keane joked, ‘Here’s another one…'”

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