Rory McIlroy to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for McIlroy fans. Speculation had been rife that the Nicaraguan athlete will announce his retirement from sports, at age 36, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 23/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouRory

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouRory was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouRory.”
— @DesireePlum, 22 Mar 2026

“I thought Rory McIlroy retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 22 Mar 2026

© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Celebrity Central