
Rory McIlroy's haircut confession leaves interviewer in stitches
Known for his signature curly locks, the Masters champion surprised fans and reporters alike by stepping out with a dramatically shorter trim – one that's sparked everything from amused commentary to comparisons with Mr Bean.
The change didn't go unnoticed during CBS's coverage, with one interviewer laughing as McIlroy explained the thinking behind the chop. Rory McIlroy at the pro-am prior to the Genesis Scottish Open. Pic:'You know, I am getting a little grey as everybody probably knows and I stupidly thought that by going shorter, it would take the greys out,' McIlroy admitted.
'If anything, I think it makes me look more grey. It'll grow back, that's the good thing. It'll be perfect for the Ryder Cup in September.' View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Golf on CBS (@golfoncbs)
Jokes and side-by-sides quickly flooded social media, with one fan writing: 'Rory needs to stick to his old hair. Looks 20 years older here with his new cut,' while another quipped: 'Did Rors get in an accident while they were trimming the greens?'
But the new look might hint at something deeper than a summer refresh. McIlroy has been out of the spotlight since a T6 finish at the Travelers Championship, spending time off-grid at his new family home in Wentworth and taking a deliberate step back from the PGA Tour grind. Rory McIlroy at the pro-am prior to the Genesis Scottish Open. Pic:'The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide in a way,' McIlroy said during a press conference.
'Sometimes you need that to completely get away. I feel like this world of golf can become all-encompassing if you let it.'
Grey hairs or not, he's clearly not afraid to shake things up – and the buzz (on and off the course) shows no signs of fading.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy spotted wearing Green Jacket while leaving Portrush
Rory McIlroy decided to throw the green jacket back on ahead of this week's Open at Portrush. McIlroy won the Masters after a decade of trying to complete the Grand Slam. He now returns to Northern Ireland to try to win a second Claret Jug. The hometown hero has garnered plenty of attention since landing in Portrush on Monday and has had packed galleries follow him for his early morning practice rounds. Now that McIlroy is back in Northern Ireland, he will have plenty of social obligations to fulfil. On Tuesday evening, he was spotted wearing his green jacket while on Portrush grounds. The Career Grand Slam winner has been in fine form this week while mingling with fans and conducting his media duties. McIlroy had previously spoken about his lack of motivation after winning the Masters and had some tetchy exchanges with the media in that period. Fast forward to a good finishing round at the Travelers Championship and a few weeks off, and McIlroy arrives to Portrush rejuvenated and showed signs of life by finishing second at the Scottish Open. 'I'm certainly encouraged by how I've played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland,' he told the media. 'I'm excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. I feel like I'm in a good spot and – not that last week was a pure preparation week – but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here.' He gets his Open Championship underway at 3.10 pm on Thursday and will play his first two rounds alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas. World Number One Scottie Scheffler will play with 2019 Champion Shane Lowry and former champion Collin Morikawa.


Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy tells autograph hunter 'stop lying' as Open star shows true colours
Rory McIlroy thrilled young supporters at Royal Portrush, spending over 10 minutes signing autographs following his Open Championship practice round on Tuesday, and the five-time major champion put some professional autograph hunters in their place. McIlroy was once again the first to hit the course in his home country of Northern Ireland on Tuesday, teeing off at 7 a. m. local time for the second consecutive day. This time, he played alongside fellow Ulstermen Darren Clarke and Tom McKibbin, with a large crowd gathering to give the local favourites a warm welcome. However, it was McIlroy who stole the show. He received a massive cheer from the spectators around the 18th green as he sank a short-range putt. From there, he dropped a few practice balls for some extra reps before making time for his fans, reports the Mirror US. Firstly, he was presented with a portrait by gifted 15 year old artist Lucia Heaney, who won a local competition. On the opposite side of the green, a large crowd of fans gathered, with a chorus of children begging their hero to sign their hats, flags, head covers, trading cards, and more. McIlroy was incredibly generous with his time, moving up and down the line and doing everything he could to please as many people as possible. Of course, he was once that child, attending Open Championships and eagerly seeking autographs and memorabilia from his favourite stars. The Masters champion, Rory McIlroy, was visibly irritated when he noticed a couple of professional autograph hunters among the spectators, especially after he had obligingly signed items for them earlier on Monday. McIlroy, keen to give scores of kids an unforgettable experience, addressed the autograph seekers with a resolute message: "Guys, I've signed enough for you this week." Despite their protests of innocence, McIlroy wasn't having it and dismissed them with a repeated, "Yeah, you have", twice no less. He then put them firmly in their place, stating: "Stop lying. Get off the fence and let the kids come in." McIlroy was generous with his time, but he was clear that he wanted youngsters to be the beneficiaries (Image:) When they failed to heed his warning, McIlroy's security guard stepped up, threatening to eject them unless they left. This incident marks not the first time a notable sports figure has lost patience with professional signature collectors in the UK; Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his exasperation with such individuals who incessantly requested his autograph at matches earlier in January. Although McIlroy's calendar is dominated by U.S. duties, restricting his visits home, he conveyed his joy at being back on familiar turf during Tuesday's press briefing. Offering heartfelt remarks, he noted: "It means an awful lot. It's weird, it doesn't feel like six years have passed since 2019. I think it's amazing that Portrush has this opportunity so soon after the last Open to host again," highlighting his appreciation for the historic Irish course. "Just great to be back. I don't spend a lot of time in these parts anymore, just with travel schedule, living abroad, all that stuff. To be here, to see a lot of familiar faces, every hole on the course has a different team of marshals from different golf clubs, and just to see people that I've met throughout the years out there this morning was really nice. It's really nice to be back, and obviously very excited for the week."


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Reward on offer provides necessary motivation, not pressure, for Shels veteran Gannon
An hour up the road hosts an All-Ireland clash between Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry but Windsor Park stages the gateway to European riches for Linfield and Shelbourne. Only at full-time will Shels know if their glut of squandered chances at Tolka Park costs them the guarantee of three more rounds within UEFA's competition structures. Linfield boss David Healy seemed relieved coming away from the first leg hunting a single-goal deficit. The former Northern Ireland striker refused to countenance the phrase chase in the context of being at home for the second half of the Champions League tie. Both sides were probably glad when the draw pitted the respective title holders of the two leagues in the island of Ireland together but the evidence of the first leg posits the Reds as overwhelming favourites. That wasn't reflected on the scoreboard but with a carpet of a pitch for their attackers to gorge on and the 18,500-capacity venue, these days entitled the Clearer Twist National Stadium, expected to be no more than half full, they've reason to be confident. Whoever emerges through the tie – which allows for extra-time and penalties if needed – will be within one game of ensuring participation in the league phase of the Conference League. Neither club has passed that threshold but they each have a player returning from suspension who has. Chris Shields was part of the Dundalk team which made the 2011 Europa League group and his return will bolster the hosts' prospects. He was immersed in conversation at Tolka with his former Lilywhites teammate Seán Gannon. Both veterans were put up for pre-match media duties by their clubs and it's likely Gannon will sample his 58th European game, lurking to within five of Ronan Finn's record for a League of Ireland player. 'The rewards to players for getting through the tie are huge,' noted Gannon, who turned 34 last week. 'That's not pressure for us, only motivation. I've been lucky enough to have played in these games previously and every player wants to be part of the Champions League games. 'We're representing our league so it's a chance to showcase your talent and something to look back on.' Shelbourne's superior conditioning last week from being in-season won't be so decisive as Linfield are another week into their preparations for the traditional campaign kicking off next month. 'To be honest we could have played better,' said Shels boss Joey O'Brien, just three games into his permanent residency having stepped up to succeed his boss, Damien Duff. 'We were wasteful in possession, our touch in the final third wasn't as sharp and clean as what I'd have expected from the players. We've to tidy up on that but this is a completely different game. We were overall happy with the win but it's all to play for.' The prize awaiting them is a second-round tie next week against Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ and a spiking of their minimum €1m in earnings. Elimination of the supreme competition doesn't mean the end of their European adventure, only cascades them into a Conference League clash against the loser of Lithuanians Zalgiris or Hamrun Spartans of Malta. Healy has spoken calmly and confidently approaching the midway juncture of this tie, adamant his team can mark his milestone of 500 games at the helm with its high point. 'I've had the privilege of enjoying success,' he observed. 'We have won the league six times in nine seasons and I am coming up to 10 years here. "A second goal for Shels in the first leg would have made it really difficult but with the performance levels, the attitude, and most importantly speaking to the players after the game, and over the last few days, there is huge belief that we can build on that performance. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "I have no doubt, if and when we do take the lead, then the electricity and energy around this place becomes important as the players will be fuelled by the belief they can win the tie." No Claret Jug at stake but the rewards in this sport are about more than silverware.