It would have to be Tommy Fleetwood standing in his way, wouldn’t it?  Seven weeks on from their bromance at the Ryder Cup, the skinny Scouser is the only man who can stop Francesco Molinari.

McIlroy remained defiant on Thursday amid the gathering tide of criticism over his threat to quit the European Tour. ‘I’d cause all the stirs in the world if I can get back to winning majors,’ he said.

The European Tour has hired former Premier League executive chairman Scudamore to help boost revenue from the Ryder Cup, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The Irish government and European Tour organisers are understood to have agreed a deal for the biennial clash between Europe and the USA to be staged in Limerick.

WORLD OF GOLF: I blame Colin Montgomerie. It's a decade since the Scot marked the start of Ryder Cup qualifying by writing down the 12 players who he thought would make his team.

Golfer appeared at Isleworth Crown Court to deny sexual touching and assault after police arrested him at Heathrow Airport. He attended court with a woman who is believed to be his partner.

Liv Bentley casually announced on Monday night's Made In Chelsea that she had kissed a girl and was going on a date with her.

Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs are set to return to England's starting XV for Sunday's pivotal Six Nations showdown with Ireland at Twickenham. Jonathan Joseph and Willi Heinz will make way.

The former Countdown host, 59, announced to listeners that she was stuck in the tiny elevator in Cardiff's Angel Hotel with six people - including Welsh rugby legend Ian Gough, on Saturday.

Anthony Watson has yet to make an appearance in the Championship because of a calf problem but his presence in the group attending a three-day camp in Oxford points to his improving fitness.

Eddie Jones launched a scathing attack on the decision to send off Manu Tuilagi for a high tackle during England's 33-30 Six Nations victory against Wales at Twickenham. 

DEREK LAWRENSON AT PEBBLE BEACH: With eight top five finishes in the majors but no victories, it's hardly surprising that Rickie Fowler is considered the best player under the age of 40.

Terry McPhillips has resigned from his position as Blackpool manager. McPhillips took over as permanent manager in September 2018 having had a successful spell as caretaker.

Mansfield have suspended midfielders Dion Donohue and Jacob Mellis following an alleged serious breach of club discipline.Neither player was included in the matchday squad in Saturday's win at Carlisle.

Michael Appleton is in talks to become the new manager of Lincoln City. The West Brom U23s coach has held initial discussions and has emerged as favourite to succeed Danny Cowley.

Although the Bantams currently lie eighth in League Two, they are without a win since New Year's Day - a run of seven games and that has been enough to push Bowyer to the exit door.

The 41-year-old spent six-and-a-half years at Liverpool's academy and oversaw two of the Reds' first-team games this campaign but will now take charge of the League One side.

Miley Cyrus gave fans a rather tame MTV VMA performance on Sunday night, except for a bizarre moment when she groped an elderly woman onstage.

Mel B was spotted kissing celebrity hairstylist Gary Madatyan at a VMAs after party in West Hollywood, DailyMail.com can reveal. Madatyan is an avid supporter of charities aiding abused women.

Lorde has slammed viewers who took issue with her silent, interpretative dance performance at the MTV Video Music Awards this week. 

The 35-year-old Barbie Dreams rapper was caught on camera saying 'I am the new Harriet Tubman' just hours after tweeting about her in the run up to the awards on Monday night.

Clapping back at a quip from comedian Tiffany Haddish, the Queen rapper warned: 'Don’t be coming for Fifth Harmony because Normani is that b****.' Normani thanked the hitmaker on Twitter.

The 31-year-old singing sensation delivered a showstopping performance of her rollicking songs Truth Hurts and Good As Hell.

The 23-year-old singer took over the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday in a mermaid dress that showed her admirable abs.

Normani electrified the audience when she performed onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, New Jersey on Monday.

The American superstar, 31, sported blonde curly hair as she appeared on Made in Chelsea: NYC back in 2014, with Lucy Watson, Jamie Laing and pre-baby Binky Felstead in the audience

Lizzo revealed the NSFW compliment Rihanna sent her after her showstopping performance at MTV's VMAs on Monday. She also opened up about her role in the upcoming Hustlers.

Ava Max was shining bright at the MTV VMA Awards when she stepped out in a red superwoman style ensemble on the red carpet, somewhat channeling Lady Gaga.

Stella Maxwell took inspiration from Britney's performance as she transformed into the pop sensation for Drake's Halloween bash on Thursday evening.

The actor, 58, who stars as Scheisskopf in the adaptation, said it first 'seemed ridiculous' when he was asked to help adapt the classic Joseph Heller novel.

Mohammed Jibra-Eel Saleh, 37, of Leicester, sent threatening emails to government officials, the Ministry of Defence and even Prince Andrew before Harry and Meghan's wedding.

If the Glastonbury festival ever staged a Shakespeare, it might look like this.

The Spinning Around hitmaker, 51, will take to the Pyramid Stage on Sunday for the 'legends slot' and the star has already hinted that it will be emotional.

David and Victoria Beckham appeared to be getting into the festival spirit and looked very loved up as they shared a sweet romantic snap on Sunday.

On Wednesday, Carrie Underwood was just one show away from wrapping the UK leg of her tour, with the UK's best-selling country act of all time, The Shires, as special guest.

Adorable footage shows a toddler bouncing wildly to Billie Eilish's, 17, performance at this year's Glastonbury Festival in Somerset. Both dance in perfect unison as the tot cheers at the television.

The rapper said he wanted to "cry so bad" when his in-ear monitors blew twice during his historic set, and that he was certain it would be the end of his career.

With 20 pool games played and 20 more to go, the 2019 Rugby World Cup has already delivered its fair share of shocks, upsets, brilliance and farce. Sportsmail answers 10 key questions.

Maurizio Sarri views Matthijs de Ligt as a key part of a three-man defensive wall at Juventus this season. The Dutch centre back is nearing the completion of his £63million transfer.

Holland boss Ronald Koeman has backed wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt to cement himself firmly in the starting XI of Italian giants Juventus.

Ronald Koeman has once again reiterated his desire to take over as Barcelona manager following Euro 2020 after it emerged this month that he is free to leave his Holland contract after the tournament ends.

When Ronald Koeman was shown the door at Goodison Park back in October 2017, it was difficult to imagine a route back to the top for the Dutchman, but now he is a Barcelona candidate.

Former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew takes the reigns at the Dutch outfit with the club struggling in 17th in the league having been thumped 6-1 by Ajax at the weekend.

Ronald Koeman has revealed he rejected the chance to manage Lionel Messi and Co at Barcelona in order to focus on his job as Holland's head coach.

Ronald Koeman's Barcelona exit clause has been delayed until 2021 after the postponement of the European Championships this summer.

Ronald Koeman was one of the many candidates Barcelona had on their shortlist to replace Ernesto Valverde, but he said he was reluctant to leave the Netherlands so close to Euro 2020.

Barcelona had high hopes for Frenkie de Jong after winning the race to sign him last summer for £65million, but the 22-year-old has so far failed to live up to expectation at the Camp Nou.

Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku has sent a message of support to former manager Ronald Koeman after he underwent a heart procedure in Amsterdam. 

Ed Sheeran recently made headlines by expanding his £3.7m (AUD $6.5m) 'mini-village' in his hometown of Suffolk by buying the home of a fourth neighbour.

The singer, 28, was joined by rap stars Jaykae and Aitch for the video and a stuntman while he rode around on a quad bike for the shoot.