Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
Rory McIlroy has revealed he turned down the chance to invest in Leeds United earlier this year – insisting that, as a Manchester United supporter, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
The world No.2 told Sky Sports that he was invited to join fellow major champions Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in buying into 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of NFL side San Franciscio 49ers.
The group completed a £170million takeover of English Championship side Leeds United during the summer.
However, the Elland Road side’s long-standing rivalry with Manchester United prevented McIlroy from ploughing in some of his fortune.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of this week’s Formula 1 race in Austin, McIlroy said: “They asked me if I wanted to come on board and I was like, as a Man Utd fan, can’t go anywhere near that.”
• 9 potential LIV Golf signings in 2024
• Phil Mickelson: A fresh PGA Tour exodus is imminent
The 34-year-old is in Texas for the F1 this week after becoming an investor in the Alpine team.
And whilst he rejected the chance to invest in Leeds, he hasn’t ruled out buying into his beloved Manchester United.
The Old Trafford side have been at the centre of takeover talks for the best part of 12 months after current owners the Glazer family revealed in November 2022 that they were open to selling the club.
• Ian Poulter: You’d be ‘mad’ not to join LIV Golf
• What is the LIV Golf Team Championship 2023 format?
Qatar banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani recently withdrew from the running to buy the three-time European Cup winners, with British businessman Jim Ratcliffe now thought to be the favourite to take over.
McIlroy, named the UK’s richest sportsperson under the age of 35 earlier this year, is open to the prospect of investing in the Red Devils, saying he would have “loved to have taken a 0.00001 per cent” share of the club
“I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy,” he said.
“If another opportunity comes my way, I will look at it. But it is not something that has come across our table as of yet.”
ALL ABOUT THE OPEN
More Reads

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses