Gary Lineker and Laura Davies spark Twitter rows after calling Rory McIlroy and The Open leader Shane Lowry ‘British’

GARY LINEKER and Laura Davies sparked Twitter rows after calling Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry "British".

Match of the Day host Lineker was trying to be funny by calling Northern Ireland's McIlroy British but saw his tweet be hit with a barrage of criticism.

McIlroy, who had to hold back tears after missing the cut by one at Royal Portrush, is from Holywood near Belfast.

Lineker, who was being cheeky by knowing people would rise to his comment, wrote: "It’s the British Open and @McIlroyRory is British."

McIlroy has declared his intention to play for Ireland at the 2020 Olympics and represented Great Britain and Ireland as an amateur.

Britain consists of England, Wales and Scotland. The United Kingdom is England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Furious fans were quick to pick up on Lineker's tweet and its politically sensitive nature.

One wrote: "His passport says different big ears."

Another posted: "@GaryLineker needs to educate himself on the Good Friday Agreement. N. Ireland people are “Irish OR British OR both”. Don’t make bigoted presumptions, Gary."

'REALLY THAT THICK?'

A fellow user wrote: "It’s the open, not the British open. And McIlroy is from Ireland, he isn’t British. Come on Gary, are you really that thick?"

One said: "Not like you to be so glaringly wrong Gary but it's @TheOpen and he is Northern Irish not British but I doubt he wants any part of this nonsense."

LPGA Tour legend Davies opened a can of worms when, talking about Lowry - who calls Clara in Co Offaly home - she said on Sky coverage: "It would be lovely wouldn't it for the home fans, and for us as well because it's nice to see a British winner of The Open.

"Americans have been way too dominant recently in these majors."

That was met with a barrage of criticism too - especially as Lowry has the Irish flag on his golf shoes.

One person tweeted: "Yep, Laura Davies just called Shane Lowry British. Beyond ignorant."

Another wrote: "The Sky Sports commentator just said it would be great to have a British winner of #TheOpen if Shane Lowry was to win it.

"Hopefully someone points out to her that Lowry is an Irishman and not in the slightest bit British!"

A fellow user said: "Laura Davies just called Shane Lowry British. Get a f***ing grip woman he's Irish to the core."