Rory McIlroy forced to wear Liverpool jersey after losing Late Late Show bet

As a lifelong Manchester United fan, he won't have enjoyed that one.

The four-time major winner played a friendly putting contest with fellow Red Devils fan Kielty on the course at Royal County Down, where he is competing for the second Irish Open win of his career this weekend.

The forfeit for the contest was that the loser had to wear a Liverpool jersey on camera, something neither of the men were excited to do.

McIlroy seemed to see the funny side when his fellow countryman pulled out a Liverpool jersey, and joked: "To be honest, I would probably rather be a Liverpool fan at the minute."

Despite currently leading the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour, McIlroy lost out to Kielty in the putting match, much to the joy of the television presenter and the smattering of fans in attendance.

Kielty then remarked: "So sorry Rory, but a bet's a bet."

Seemingly in a rush to get the shirt on and back off again as quickly as possible, McIlroy looked down at the Liverpool crest on his chest and said: "Oh my goodness. That is so bad, so bad."

The Northern Irishman will be hoping his putting holds up a bit better going into the final round tomorrow.

McIlroy also opened up on last night's show about the recent difficulties in his marriage and struggles away from the game of golf.

"I think sometimes life can get a lot and it can get too much," he said.

“There’s been a lot going on this year, golf wise and then obviously personal wise as well. I had to take a little bit of a break and get away from the game more than anything else,” he told Kielty.

“Golf and the business of golf had become all consuming for me for the last couple of years and I needed to take a bit of time away to realise what was actually important to me.

“Friends, family, enjoying myself, enjoying the fact you were this little boy in Holywood and you’ve grown up to be whatever it is that I am and I need to enjoy that time.”