Rory McIlroy has arrived in Bilbao ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final, where he will cheer on his beloved Manchester United as they face Tottenham Hotspur.
The Northern Irish golf star made a brief pitstop in his home country on Wednesday morning, with his Gulfstream G650ER private jet spotted at George Best Belfast City Airport at 6:41 am before departing again at 7:26 am.
The World Number 2 golfer and his caddie, Harry Diamond, flew over from the United States to watch the all-English final at the Estadio de San Mamés, home of Athletic Bilbao.
McIlroy was quickly spotted by fans as he checked into his hotel in Bilbao, and was seen taking photos with Tottenham Hotspur supporters.
Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao in the Europa League final on Wednesday evening
PA
A post from European broadcaster TNT Sports' Instagram account showed the five-time Major winner at his Bilbao hotel alongside Diamond, commentator Darren Fletcher, and Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.
Despite United's disappointing season, they enter the final as marginal favourites with the bookmakers, against their Premier League rivals.
McIlroy will be hoping for better from his team tonight after his most recent sporting fortunes have been mixed.
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Man Utd superfan Rory McIlroy with a few familiar faces ahead of the Europa League final 🤩🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/yUh6usS6x3
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 21, 2025
The 36-year-old finally crossed the line at Augusta National last month to complete the career Grand Slam with his Masters victory.
After his victory, McIlroy said he will consider wearing his new, green blazer to Old Trafford “if it can inspire some better play”.
Following this historic achievement, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim personally invited McIlroy to Old Trafford via video message, saying: “Congratulations for The Masters and I want to invite you to Old Trafford to show your trophy.
“It is really important to us in this moment. You achieved something that a lot of people thought would be impossible, and we want that feeling in our stadium.”
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McIlroy's appearance at the Europa League final comes after a disappointing performance at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last week.
Despite having won at the North Carolina course four times previously, the Northern Irishman struggled to make the cut and eventually finished tied for 47th place.
He ended the tournament at three over-par, a full 15 shots behind the leader.
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Rory McIlroy ended the PGA Championship three over-par
Getty
His surprising display came just weeks after his Masters triumph, with consecutive rounds of 72 over the weekend failing to put him in contention.
On Friday, it emerged that McIlroy had been forced to switch drivers after his first-choice club was found to be non-conforming following tests by the US Golf Association.
McIlroy has a long history of supporting Manchester United, having paraded The Open Championship trophy around Old Trafford before a Premier League game against Swansea City in 2014.
He has attended numerous matches when his schedule permits, including watching United's away draw against Liverpool at Anfield alongside Tyrrell Hatton in December 2023.
The golfer's appearance in Spain was made possible as he is not competing in this week's Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy is expected to return to action at the Memorial Tournament next week, followed by the RBC Canadian Open and then the US Open at Oakmont Country Club.
