It looks like we have just found the newest bromance in sport.
Pep Guardiola and Rory McIlroy have got to know each other quite well over the past 48 hours.
The Spaniard is on this side of the Irish Sea helping out McIlroy in the build up to the Irish Open.
The tournament’s level of prestige has risen since McIlroy and the Rory Foundation began hosting it back in 2015 and now attracts top stars and will include world number two Hideki Matsuyama in the field.
The whole thing is now a week long event with Belfast Waterfront hosting an evening with Rory McIlroy on Monday.
It is the second year that this has taken place, last year it was in Dublin and was hosted by James Nesbitt. The actor resumed his role as the host this year but the guest of honour changed.
Last year, Alex Ferguson was the special guest but has been replaced by Pep Guardiola and both he and McIlroy seem to be the best of friends already.
As part of the events, the Irish Open is also hosting a Pro-Am with a number of familiar faces playing including Stephen Ferris and Vernon Kay.
However, McIlroy is playing alongside the Manchester City manager but it is clear who is getting preferential treatment at the tournament.
🏌️Tee time for @ManCity boss Pep Guardiola & his playing partner @McIlroyRory is heading the other direction 😃#seeyouonthetee ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/snObKU283v
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) July 5, 2017
They both managed to find their way to the tee box though.
#IrishOpen2017 Pro-am @McIlroyRory made it to the tee on time 👍⌚️along with @ManCity boss Pep Guardiola & @AP_McCoy
🏌🏿🏌🏻🏌🏻😀 pic.twitter.com/UC19PgJf5a— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) July 5, 2017
The pair looks to be getting on just fine in each other’s company despite McIlroy being a massive Manchester United fan.
Before Guardiola could tee off with McIlroy he got to meet another living Irish legend in Paul Galvin and was even kitted out by the Kerryman.
Official #MISTER @dunnesstores @aileengaskin89 pic.twitter.com/ofJTAYSFrr
— paul galvin (@pgal10) July 5, 2017
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