Rory McIlroy has been tipped to U-turn on his stance of snubbing the Champions Tour once he decides to retire, days after winning the Players Championship.
The 35-year-old secured glory at Sawgrass by defeating JJ Spaun in a fascinating play-off clash after the weather had wrecked havoc.
Speaking at the competition, McIlroy was asked about his future.
The Briton revealed that he wouldn't play Champions Tour golf and that he plans to retire from the sport before the age of 50.
Rory McIlroy has been tipped to U-turn on his stance of snubbing the Champions Tour once he decides to retire, days after winning the Players Championship
REUTERS
McIlroy, when asked about the possibility, responded by saying: "Absolutely not. I will not play Champions Tour golf.
"Look, I've said a lot of absolutes in my time that I've walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”
However, Padraig Harrington expects McIlroy to U-turn on that stance.
Speaking at the Newport Beach Country Club in California, per the Belfast Telegraph, the nine-time senior circuit winner said: "Look, they're words.
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“You say words and they're picked over and pulled apart.
"I think what you'll find is a lot of people when they're 30 years of age need to have an – Rory's a little older than that – but needs to have an idea that there's a limit on this, but that limit comes up very quickly and it gets passed.
“We've heard a lot of people say that. The fact of the matter is somebody like me, I've never been happier than out here playing on the Champions Tour. Never been happier.
“Love my golf, loving my life. I can't see like why anybody wouldn't want to do this.
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Rory McIlroy's comments on the Seniors Tour have been downplayed by Padraig Harrington
PA
"Literally every week I'm living a life that people would save the whole year to have this one week.
“For most people my age, to go on a one-week golf trip is like the biggest thing they could do in a year and I get to do it 30 times a year.
“So look, I think Rory will find that it's likely it will change. There's fun to be had out here. And he's hit lots of great shots.
"I think the big bonus of the Champions Tour is you get to hit shots coming down the stretch, great shots under pressure.
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"You feel it, you don't want to mess up, there are people watching.
“And in some ways you're reliving your past, you're reliving the wins you've had, you're validating the wins you've had in some ways."
McIlroy's form bodes well as the Masters rapidly approaches.
Though he's now a veteran on the tour, the golfer has warned his rivals that he's still got plenty left in his locker.
Rory McIlroy's form at the Players Championship bodes well as the Masters approaches
REUTERS
"I've tried to get better every year and I feel like I'm continuing trying to do that," he said.
"The younger guys coming out are getting better every single year and I need to keep working hard to hang with them. I'm doing a pretty good job of that.
"I feel like I've still got a few years left in the tank."
