RORY McILROY explained why he got an eye-catching haircut before the Scottish Open – joking that it “makes me look more grey”.
McIlroy, 36, debuted the new look at the Renaissance Club during the week, with his trademark curly locks abandoned for a closer cut.
Rory McIlroy debuted a new haircut at the Scottish Open[/caption]
It led to fans joking that he “looks more and more like Mr Bean” while it prompted an explanation on CBS.
He revealed: “You know, I am getting a little grey as everybody probably knows and I stupidly thought that by going shorter, it would take the greys out.
“If anything, I think it makes me look more grey. It’ll grow back, that’s the good thing. It’ll be perfect for the Ryder Cup in September.”
His year has already been a triumph after winning The Masters back in April.
It brought to an end a 10-year wait for a major, while the Holywood ace became just the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
Winning The Open on home soil at Portrush next week would add to the legacy of the 36-year-old and he completes preparations at the Scottish Open.
And he revealed he is motivated by wanting to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic.
He said: “That ability to stay on top of your game for a long period of time takes so much out of you.
“It’s one of the underappreciated things about any sport. Look at what Djokovic is doing at Wimbledon over the last few weeks.
“Or look what someone like Cristiano Ronaldo is doing at 40 or Tom Brady in American football.
“That longevity is something that isn’t talked about enough. Once you get to a certain level, it is so difficult to maintain it.
“I feel like the journey on the way up is almost — I’m not going to say it’s easy but you have momentum and you’re riding a wave to the top.
“Once you get there it takes as much work, if not more, to stay there.”
And he name-checked Scottie Scheffler as a talent who has emerged as one of his new rivals.
He added: “Before I won The Masters this year, the last Major I won was in 2014. I never heard of Scottie Scheffler then.
“These talents and these players just keep coming and keep getting better each and every generation.
“You have to adapt your game to make sure that you’re able to hang with those guys.
“I feel like I’m one generation ahead of Scottie, who is still in his 20s.
“So I have to constantly ask myself, ‘Is there something that I need to add to my repertoire to stay ahead?’
“I’ve been winning pro events for 16 years and retaining my drive to keep getting a little bit better. That’s a big piece of staying competitive.”
