Roy Keane has appeared to have changed his tune on Rory McIlroy, following the latter’s back-to-back Masters wins.

Co Down golfer Rory finally triumphed in Augusta last year, when he won his first Masters and completed his career grand slam following a tense playoff with Justin Rose last year.

While he didn’t need a playoff this year, Rory managed to become the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Masters tournaments when he finished one stroke ahead of second place, Scottie Scheffler.

Roy Keane
Roy Keane has appeared to have changed his tune on Rory McIlroy, following the latter’s back-to-back Masters wins. Pic: Sky Sports

Rory has previously faced the wrath of former Man United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane — once when he was a child, and once again during last year’s Ryder Cup — but it appears that Roy’s opinion of Rory has mellowed during the latest episode of The Overlap.

‘[Rory’s win was] Absolutely brilliant,’ Roy said. ‘You know what, I watched most of it, I really enjoyed it. I said to Wrighty on Friday…’

‘[Roy] said to me “it’s over” on the Friday,’ Ian Wright interjected. ‘Honestly, starting all that b****cks with me again,’ he joked — referencing when Roy said that Europe had already won the Ryder Cup on day one of the three-day golf tournament.

Rory became the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back Masters tournaments after he triumphed in Augusta last weekend. Pic: Hector Vivas/Getty Images

‘But was I right!?’ Roy responded to laughter.

Rory had previously spoken about being snubbed by then Ireland captain Roy when he was just 12-years-old.

Rory, a huge Man United fan, went to the Portmarnock Links Hotel where Roy and the Irish team were training — but was turned away by Roy when he asked for an autograph.

Rory McIlroy
Rory previously revealed that he was snubbed by Roy when he was looking for Roy’s autograph as a child. Pic: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

‘I saw one of my Man United legends in the lobby and asked him for an autograph,’ Rory said during an appearance on The Overlap. ‘He looks over and goes “not today, kid.” I was like “Okay…”

Keane said to McIlroy: ‘Is that true? The only thing I remember about that hotel was that there was always kids around annoying the players and I was probably thinking “here’s another one.”

‘I’m still going to fight my corner over this,’ Roy continued. ‘It depends on the timing, if you’re in the zone or where you are mentally.

‘I feel bad, if that is 100 per cent true. I wouldn’t just snub a little kid.’