Watch Rory McIlroy get the living daylights scared out of him

Masters champion Rory McIlroy swapped his golf clubs for a helmet ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. 

The 36-year-old is currently in the Middle East competing in the first leg of the play-offs at Yas Links.

He is chasing his seventh order of merit title and, if he is successful, would inch closer to matching Colin Montgomerie's record. 

Before the $9m DP World Tour event got underway, the five-time major champion was invited for a spin with pro race driver Francesco Pardini. 

They tracked McIlroy's heartrate using real-time date from fitness tracker WHOOP, of which the Northern Irishman is an investor and an ambassador. 

McIlroy said he was feeling jetlagged upon arrival and only had only slept for six hours. 

Reaching speeds of more than 200mph, McIlroy's heartrate climbed to more than 100bpm.

His face was an absolute picture after he egged on Pardini to up the ante after their first few laps in the car. 

"I'm exhausted, I don't know about you," he said after he got. "I'm buzzing after that, by the way, that was really cool."

Watch the video here:

McIlroy confirms BBC SPOTY appearance

Rory McIlroy is among the favourites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2025 following his remarkable season. 

McIlroy began the year with a bang, winning the coveted Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass before finally ending his wait for a major championship victory at The Masters.

His win at Augusta National meant that he became only the sixth male golfer in history to complete the career grand slam. 

McIlroy followed his exploits in Georgia with victory in front of his home fans at the Irish Open before helping Europe achieve a remarkable away victory over the United States at Bethpage Black in New York. 

Victory for McIlroy was made even sweeter given he was on the receiving end of horrific verbal abuse from a select few outside the gallery ropes. 

McIlroy confirmed to BBC Sport this week that he and his wife Erica have received an official letter of apology from the PGA of America's president over what transpired. 

He also confirmed to Telegraph Sport that he will attend the BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards in person. 

"Yeah, the plan is to go," he told the publication. 

"I have more chance of winning if I'm actually there, and I recognise that with the audience the show attracts it could only be a good thing for the game."

Only two golfers have won the award: Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989. 

McIlroy finished to Lewis Hamilton in 2014 (the year he won two major championships) and he was a nominee in 2023.

The betting market paints an interesting picture for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

McIlroy is currently 7/4 second favourite, trailing England Women's forward Chloe Kelly (11/10), whose penalty heroics inspired the Lionesses to Euro 2025 success.

Lando Norris (11/2) then rounds out the top three, thanks to his F1 title push with McLaren.