McGregor and Mayweather in cahoots?
Rory McIlroy is looking forward to this weekend's fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, but admits he worries they may be laughing together behind the scenes.
McIlroy was asked about the upcoming mega fight at his press conference ahead of the Northern Trust Open, and admitted he fears the trash talking between the two men is all for show.
"I'm interested just to see how it all plays out, but I just fear that they do all this trash-talking and they go behind the scenes and they are having a laugh," he said.
"We are all buying into it and they are like, can you believe these people believe this?
"It's amazing, like we were talking about, imagine McGregor knocks him out in the first couple of rounds.
"I just don't know what that zero on Mayweather's record is worth, and that's the thing. That's his legacy."
Asked if he thought McGregor could beat Mayweather, McIlroy responded in the affirmative.
"Certainly. All I've done is follow the build up to this thing. All I do is watch YouTube videos of Conor McGregor," he said.
"I'm intrigued. He talks a good game. If you just listen to his press conferences and what he says, you would think that this guy, he's the one with the 50-0 boxing record."
McIlroy said McGregor's level of self-belief is a source of admiration for him.
"It's amazing. I'm a big admirer of him. He talks about visualization and the law of attraction and all this stuff that he believes in it and he vocalizes it, and he has the courage to say what he thinks. I'm a believer in that stuff, and I'm a big advocate of that," he said.
"And some of the stuff he does wouldn't be my cup of tea, but he believes 100% in himself and he believes he's going to go out there on Saturday night and shock the world."
Latest
-
NewsThe Open day three: Oosthuizen on verge of history as Spieth sprints off
Jordan Spieth ran to the practice putting green after a dreadful miss at the last left him three off the lead.
-
NewsLouis Oosthuizen takes narrow Open lead into final day as Jordan Spieth falters
A third round of 69 took the South African to 12 under par and a shot ahead of playing partner Collin Morikawa.
-
NewsLouis Oosthuizen maintains Open lead over closest challenger Jordan Spieth
Oosthuizen held a two-shot overnight lead thanks to a championship record halfway total of 129.
-
NewsRory McIlroy plays down club-throwing incident but admits to consistency issues
The former world number one had looked to be playing himself into contention in the third round at Royal St George’s before fading away.
-
NewsRory McIlroy frustrated after squandering ideal start to third round of The Open
McIlroy made the halfway cut with just a shot to spare after consecutive rounds of 70.
-
NewsRory McIlroy climbs up leaderboard on day three of Open
The former world number one covered the front nine in 31.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau out early on day three of the Open
DeChambeau played his last five holes in two under par on Friday to make the halfway cut on the mark of one over.
-
NewsOn This Day in 2011: Darren Clarke becomes the oldest Open champion since 1967
The 42-year-old was the third Northern Irishman to win a major in the space of 13 months.
-
NewsThe Open day three: Louis Oosthuizen bids to follow up record-breaking start
Runner-up in the last two majors, Oosthuizen added a 65 to his opening 64 for a halfway total of 129.
-
NewsThe Open day two: Louis Oosthuizen sets new championship record
The 38-year-old South African is in pole position to claim an overdue second major.