Watch Rory McIlroy get the living daylights scared out of him

Rory McIlroy Swaps Golf Clubs for Race Car Helmet

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links, Rory McIlroy put aside his golf clubs to try something new: racing a car. The 36-year-old, currently competing in the first leg of the play-offs in the Middle East, aims to win his seventh Order of Merit title and move closer to Colin Montgomerie's record.

High-Speed Experience with Pro Driver

Before the $9 million DP World Tour event began, McIlroy was invited for a high-speed ride with professional race car driver Francesco Pardini. Their heart rates were monitored in real time using WHOOP, a fitness tracker McIlroy both invests in and endorses.

Jetlag and Adrenaline

McIlroy admitted he felt jetlagged, having slept only six hours upon arrival. During the drive, the car reached speeds of over 200 mph, and McIlroy's heart rate rose above 100 bpm. Encouraging Pardini to increase the pace, his face showed a mix of adrenaline and excitement.

"I'm exhausted, I don't know about you," he said after the ride. "I'm buzzing after that, by the way, that was really cool."

Handling Pressure at High Speeds

Known for managing intense pressure in his golf career, McIlroy faced a new challenge: staying calm while racing at top speed around the Yas Marina F1 track.

“Rory McIlroy has dealt with some of the most high-pressure scenarios a professional athlete can face. But can he keep his cool at 200mph around the Yas Marina F1 track?”

#ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries | @WHOOP

Author’s summary: Rory McIlroy embraced an adrenaline rush in a race car, testing his composure at 200 mph while preparing for a major golf championship.

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GolfMagic GolfMagic — 2025-11-08

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