Rory McIlroy reveals Roy Keane’s boyhood snub sparked a lifelong dislike of Man United legend

RORY McILROY  revealed how a boyhood snub by Roy Keane sparked a lifelong dislike for the Manchester United legend.

And it left such a deep impression on golf’s world No 6 he vowed never to treat youngsters the same way if he became famous.

McIlroy, 28, an ardent United fan, approached the former Old Trafford skipper at the Portmanock Links Hotel near Dublin when he was on international duty with Ireland.

But he was turned down flat.

He said: “Keane should be one of my heroes, as a United player, but I’ve never liked him since.

“It sort of stuck with me, I guess. So that’s why if a kid asks me for an autograph, I always try to do it.”

Two years ago McIlroy came up with a novel way for ending the feud between Keano and former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

He admitted: “I’d pay a lot to see them get into a ring, and watch Sir Alex knock him out — and shut him up for good.”

That episode has left a deep mark with the four-time Major winner.

But he was still surprised when his gesture in handing his ball to a youngster during last week’s British Masters caused a stir on social media.

McIlroy, 28, added: “I remember going and watching the World Match Play at Wentworth every October, and getting golf balls from Mark O’Meara or Sam Torrance.

“And I remember how good I felt. But I’ve had it go the other way, where I asked someone for an autograph as a kid and they didn’t give it to me.

“And I’ve never liked him since.”

Asked who had snubbed him, the four-time Major champion was happy to name and shame the culprit.

He said: “It was Roy Keane, who should be one of my heroes as a  United player.

“I went and asked for his autograph at the Portmarnock Links Hotel when he was with the Ireland squad, and he said no.

“It just sort of stuck with me I guess.

“So that’s why, if a kid asks me for an autograph, I always try to do it.”

When he was asked if he would sign an autograph for Keane now, if the roles were reversed, McIlroy grinned: “Only if he gives me his!”

The ex-world No 1 will bring down the curtain on his  season at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in  Scotland, starting on Thursday.

The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

He hopes to go one better than last week at Close House, when he finished runner-up to Paul Dunne.

But he faces tough competition, not least from current European money-list leader Tommy Fleetwood.

He missed the British Masters to be present for his son’s birth.