![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS384623973.jpg\")
Rory McIlroy once claimed that he ‘never liked’ Roy Keane<\/p>\nThe Northern Irish golfer has already had a run-in with former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane when he was younger and once claimed he ‘never liked’ him<\/p>\n
22:21, 17 Oct 2025Updated 22:21, 17 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy once claimed that he ‘never liked’ Roy Keane<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy has already made his feelings clear about Roy Keane, who made a brutal remark about the Northern Irishman’s wife Erica Stoll. McIlroy was subject to boos, whistles and some strong words from the United States crowd during the recent Ryder Cup triumph.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old would clap back with one or two x-rated remarks of his own, but when his wife, Erica, was hit by a drink thrown from the crowd, he called it out as ‘unacceptable’. United legend Keane, however, took a different stance on the incident, which left his Overlap<\/a> presenters Jamie Carragher<\/a>, Gary Neville<\/a> and Ian Wright in stitches.<\/p>\n Keane left his fellow pundits laughing after he showed little sympathy and told McIlroy he should have told his wife: “Just stay at the hotel, love.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Rory McIlroy takes risky gamble in India with brave locker room call<\/a>READ MORE: Even from India, Shane Lowry can’t resist final dig at USA Ryder Cup crowd<\/a><\/p>\n “I’m no expert in golf<\/a>, I don’t play the game, but I watch top-level sport, and you’re telling me there is pressure on these players because some people were shouting,” Keane said. “In football, if you go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night [that’s pressure].<\/p>\n “These guys are playing in tournaments every week, and all of a sudden they are going to be upset by a few yanks.<\/p>\n “McIlroy has won all the big prizes, do you think he’s going to be upset by a few people? It’s ridiculous. And then they do get upset because of their partners.<\/p>\n “Let me tell you, if I was a golfer and my partner or wife was getting abuse, I’d go, ‘Just stay at the hotel, love; I’ll see you tonight when I get back.’ You don’t come to the other tournaments, but you get into an outfit and come to the Ryder Cup; stay at home.<\/p>\n “If I’m getting loads of stick, go home. And I bet they go back to a nice hotel, they’re not going to be camping in a tent.”<\/p>\n Keane may have meant his comment light-heartedly, but it’s not the first time he’s caused some controversy with the golfer, having snubbed him for an autograph when McIlroy was just 12-years-old.<\/p>\n Back in 2017, McIlroy went viral on social media after a video surfaced of him giving a golf ball to a young fan. The golfer was surprised by the traction the video received, claiming it was a regular occurrence.<\/p>\n “It just shows what such a small thing can mean to a kid,” McIlroy said<\/a>. “I had it go the other way for me, where I asked someone for an autograph as a kid and they didn’t give it to me. And I’ve never liked them since.<\/p>\n “It was Roy Keane<\/a>. He should be one of my heroes because I was, and still am, a huge Man United fan. But I remember I went and asked him for his autograph at the Portmarnock Links Hotel when he was with the Ireland squad and he just said ‘no’.<\/p>\n “And it just sort of stuck with me ever since. So, that’s why if a kid asks me for an autograph, I always try to do it.”<\/p>\n McIlroy would revisit the incident last year regarding Keane snubbing him for an autograph, clarifying his stance on the situation.<\/p>\n![\"Erica](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Ryder-Cup-2025-Saturday-Afternoon-Four-balls.jpg\")
Erica Stoll had a drink thrown at her during ugly scenes at the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n