Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor McGregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
The Northern Irishman heaped praise on the UFC for being one of the first sports to host live events during the pandemic. The creation of Fight Island in Abu Dhabi allowed for a bio-bubble to be created and for international stars like Irishman McGregor to fight without entering the Covid-19 hit US.
McIlroy tees off at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Thursday, which happens to be is just a 30-minute drive from Fight Island. But unfortunately, Covid-19 protocols prevent him from attending.
“The UFC have done a great job,” said McIlroy ahead of McGregor’s lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier.
“Obviously this weekend, in Abu Dhabi, Conor McGregor is fighting. I’ve been to his last three UFC fights. I was trying to get an angle of hoe to get there, but obviously with the European Tour and the bubble, it was proving quite difficult.
“So I’ll hopefully be watching it on TV while having breakfast and getting ready to go out and try and win this tournament.”
McIlroy also touched on the escape that sport gives fans the world over, which has been especially prized during the pandemic.
“I think one of the great things about sports is that it has been a bit of a release from everything that’s going on in the world and to provide that entertainment,” he added.
“Even for people in our position where we get to come out and do our job, it’s still nice to watch something on TV that you don’t know the result of.”
McIlroy tees off along with fellow former world number one’s Justin Thomas and Lee Westwood at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Thursday.
Latest
-
PGA TourLee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European TourSam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA ChampionshipDefending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA TourEnglish rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA ChampionshipJordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
NewsWe’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.
-
Ryder CupThomas Bjorn named as Henrik Stenson’s first vice-captain for 2023 Ryder Cup
Stenson was one of Bjorn’s 12 players when he led Europe to 2018 glory in Paris.