Multiple major winner on Rory McIlroy's recent claim? "It's just words..."

Multiple major champion Padraig Harrington has predicted Rory McIlroy will make a U-turn. 

McIlroy told reporters before last week's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass he had no plans to play beyond 50 years old. 

The 35-year-old said he was keen to end his playing career on his own terms. 

In his view, something would have gone 'terribly wrong' if he finds himself on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in 15 years ' time. 

Harrington reckons McIlroy might have a change of heart once he reaches his age. 

"I've never been happier than out here playing on the Champions Tour," Harrington told reporters before the Hoag Classic. 

"Love my golf, loving my life. I can't see why anybody wouldn't want to do this."

He added: "Literally every week I'm living a life that people would save the whole year to have this one week. 

"The golf courses I play on are the best presented.

"Like most people my age like to go on a one-week golf trip is like the biggest thing they could do in a year and I get to do it 30 times a year.

"So I think Rory will find that it's likely it will change. There's fun to be had out here."

Harrington said when golfers reach the Champions Tour they are 'reliving the past' and 'validating' the victories they have had.

"With all his wins when he comes out here as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and all the others, he will get the glory and get to enjoy those junior wins, let's say when he’s on the senior tour," Harrington said. 

Four-time major winner Ernie Els recently admitted he too had the same thoughts at McIlroy's age. 

But The Big Easy has now played more than 100 times on the senior circuit and won seven times. 

"It's a reasonable narrative because you've got to remember Rory's playing golf probably full time since he's 12, 13 years of age," Harrington said. 

"He's got to put an end to it at this moment in his head or else it just would be overbearing and that end to him is obviously 45, 50 years of age.

"But it just comes around so quickly, things will change and I'm not saying everybody changes, but it's likely that things will change and he'll actually come out, and have a bit of fun.”

Meanwhile, McIlroy revealed has revealed he will double down on the work he's doing with his psychologist Bob Rotella before heading to Augusta National for the 2025 Masters.

In his bid to win the green jacket, he has also added another PGA Tour start to his schedule.