No dog's life for jet-setter Rory

Rory McIlroy can put one over on Tiger Woods by picking out an even weirder dog than the world No 1.

Woods and his stunning Swedish wife Elin Nordegren have a “Labradoodle” — a cross between a labrador and a poodle - and named it Yogi because it looks like cartoon character Yogi Bear.

MaltipooRory McIlroyBut after skipping an overdue trip to the barber’s this week, hairy Holywood hotshot McIlroy has set his heart on making a Maltipoo his new, furry friend before showing his fangs in The Players at Sawgrass next week.

McIlroy explained: “Everyone keeps asking me if I've had a haircut — well so far I haven't — because I haven't had time!

“I've also been looking at buying a dog. It's called a Maltipoo - a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle - and it's got the same hair as me so maybe I'll wait a while. It's very cute so hopefully we could have one joining the family soon.”

McIlroy has been in chill out mode since he got back from his whirlwind, three-week trip to the US, where he finished 20th at Augusta on his Masters debut.

And he plans to get the most out of his down time by living it up with his pals in Las Vegas this weekend before taking on Woods in the megabucks Players Championship at Sawgrass next week.

Since jetting home from the Verizon Heritage just over a week ago, McIlroy has been enjoying his last days as a teenager before he turns 20 next Monday.

He’s played football and tennis with his pal Harry Diamond, watched Ulster lose to Cardiff and Ravenhill and seen his girlfriend Holly pass her driving test.

But unlike every other normal teenager, he’s also a millionaire and spent some time deciding on how to decorate his new hideaway at the exclusive Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh.

The latest Sunday Times “Rich List” reckons McIlroy is one of the top young earners in the UK with more than £3 million (euro 3.3 million) in the bank.

But he plans to use his cash to jet off to Las Vegas on Friday with two pals and his caddie JP Fitzgerald for Ricky Hatton’s mega-bout with Manny Pacquaio at the MGM Grand.

He said: “It is going to be just amazing and I can't wait. I've never been to Las Vegas before and it's a kind of birthday present to myself - I'm really excited about it and the possibility of attending a winning Ricky Hatton after party.”

The fun ends on Sunday morning when McIlroy and his caddie fly out to Sawgrass to prepare for the game’s Fifth Major.

Woods will be bidding to win The Players for the first time since 2001 but debut boy McIlroy will be ready and rested for his bid to become top dog.