Old Westbury, Long Island, NY …

It was a big sporting day for World No. 4 Rory McIlroy not just on the golf course for round three of the Northern Trust but later glued to the ‘box’ throughout the afternoon and into Saturday evening.

McIlroy was on the Glen Eagles course when his beloved Manchester United made it two wins from just as many new season events in humbling Leicester City 2-nil.

McIlroy was then looking forward, but with plenty of Irish apprehension, to Conor McGregor -v- Floyd Mayweather showdown in Las Vegas starting around 9pm local time (12 midnight US East Coast time & 5am UK/Irish time).

However while McIlroy is delighted with Man U’s great start he was not so positive of McGregor’s chances of defeating his underfeated American rival.

“Poults (Ian Poulter) and myself were talking about it all the way around the golf course this morning”, said McIlroy.

Floyd Mayweather takes all the Conor McGregor hype in his stride.

“I can just see Conor not being able to hit im for about five to six rounds, and getting frustrated and tired and then Floyd will pick him off”, said McIlroy after his third round 69 to get back to level par for the $US 8.75m event.

“I wish it might be the other way around and I just can’t imagine what it would be like if Conor were actually to knock him down.

“But I think Floyd will win by a TKO in the seventh or eighth round and that I would seem to be the more likely outcome.

“As for now, well Manchester United were playing while I was on the golf course and I don’t know if there is any other sport on but it will be an afternoon and night of watching sport on the TV”.