Second Thoughts

Bet next song will be 'Love on the Rocks'

FILE - In this April 10, 2013 file photo, Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hugs his caddie, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, during the par three competition before the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. McIlroy has broken off his engagement to Wozniacki only days after sending out wedding invitations. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
FILE - In this April 10, 2013 file photo, Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hugs his caddie, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, during the par three competition before the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. McIlroy has broken off his engagement to Wozniacki only days after sending out wedding invitations. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Rory McIlroy, the world's No. 1 golfer, experienced an awkward moment Friday when he went to watch Ulster take on Connacht in a European rugby match.

McIlroy, an Ulster supporter, was in the middle of a television interview with the BBC when Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was played over the public address system at halftime.

McIlroy responded by smiling sheepishly, looking down at the ground and saying "Oh dear."

The Northern Irishman broke off his engagement to former world No. 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki in May, the same week as he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

McIlroy, 25, went on to reel off consecutive victories in the British Open at Royal Liverpool, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio and the U.S. PGA Championship in Kentucky.

It seems he is enjoying some time off before returning to competitive golf in 2015.

"I'm in my off season so I can enjoy myself, enjoy my Christmas dinner and have a few drinks," McIlroy told the BBC.

Ask Junior

Dale Earnhardt Jr. decided to conduct an impromptu question-and-answer session on Twitter during mid-flight Friday while flying to visit the family of his girlfriend, Amy Reimann.

The biggest takeaway?

When a driver has to go to the bathroom during a race, holding it isn't always an option.

"‪@DaleJr How many times a year do you go to the bathroom during a race?" SeanLawver48 tweeted.

"Once or twice A YEAR. When ya gotta go ya go," Earnhardt responded.

"‪‪@DaleJr ‪@Amy_Reimann: worst Xmas present u ever got?"dre_n_ty asked.

"Leaf blower from Dad and Teresa. Easier to clean the garage they said," Earnhardt answered.

"@DaleJr @Amy_Reimann When you do a victory burnout what gear do you dump the clutch in?" asked TowerofPowers.

"1st. You can shift to 2nd & 3rd," Earnhardt replied.

"‪@DaleJr ‪@Amy_Reimann Get anything nice from Santa?" katch_a_moose88 posted.

"Santa got me a bowflex. Work off that thanksgiving dinner(S)," Earnhardt said, concluding the session.

What's in a sponsor?

Outback Steakhouse, title sponsor of the Outback Bowl, hosted players from 2015 participants Auburn and Wisconsin for a welcome-to-Tampa dinner Friday night.

The damage was extensive.

"Outback Bowl dinner for Auburn & Wisconsin: 750 pounds of steak, 900 lbs. of ribs, 750 lbs. of chicken, 1,600 shrimp, 1,200 lbs. cheese cake," tweeted Auburn Gold Mine.

Wisconsin's side was quick to back up the figures.

"Final tally for ‪#Badgers & Auburn at ‪@outbackbowl Dinner: 900 lbs ribs, 750 lbs steak, 400 lbs potatoes, 1600 shrimp, 160 Bloomin' Onions," Badger Football tweeted a short time later.

It wasn't clear if those numbers represented the amount of food prepared or the amount of food actually consumed (although they add up to somewhere in the neighborhood of 4,100 pounds either way), but don't bet against the latter based off a tweet from Walker Williams, the Badgers' 6-7, 320-pound offensive lineman.

"After 2 chicken breasts, 4 steaks, 2 side salads, potatoes, shrimp, an onion bowl, and cheesecake im gunna throw in the towel ‪#outbackbowl," Williams posted.

QUIZ

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s girlfriend Amy Reimann was a cheerleader at what university?

ANSWER

The University of Kentucky

Sports on 12/29/2014

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