Watch Rory McIlroy Get the Living Daylights Scared Out of Him
Rory McIlroy traded his golf clubs for a race car before the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. The Masters champion, now 36, is competing in the first leg of the play-offs, chasing his seventh Order of Merit title that could put him closer to Colin Montgomerie’s record.
Before the $9 million DP World Tour event began, the five-time major winner accepted an invitation from professional race driver Francesco Pardini for a high-speed spin. Using real-time data from the fitness tracker WHOOP — a brand McIlroy invests in and represents — his heart rate was monitored throughout the thrilling experience.
McIlroy admitted to feeling jet-lagged after just six hours of sleep, but the adrenaline quickly kicked in. As the car reached speeds above 200 mph, his heart rate climbed past 100 bpm.
“I’m exhausted, I don’t know about you,”
“I’m buzzing after that, by the way, that was really cool.”
The Northern Irish golfer has faced countless high-pressure moments on the course, but handling 200 mph around Yas Marina might just be a new test of nerves.
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Author’s Summary
McIlroy stepped out of his comfort zone in Abu Dhabi, trading fairways for fast laps and proving his appetite for thrill extends far beyond golf.