Rory McIlroy was last night involved in a furious Twitter row with fellow golfer Lee Westwood — who accused the Ulsterman of being “half Danish”.

McIlroy — who last week brought his new girlfriend, Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, home to Co Down to meet his parents — hit back by telling Westwood: “at least I’m not English.”

The row between the pair, who were Ryder Cup team-mates when Europe won the competition a year ago, kicked off over McIlroy’s absence from the Great Britain & Ireland team, which beat continental Europe to win the Seve Trophy yesterday.

McIlroy had claimed he was supporting the European team.

The US Open champion opened with: “Is it wrong that I'm enjoying this European comeback in the Seve trophy??” and later added: “never cheered for (Danish golf star) Thomas Bjorn as much as I did today!”

Westwood hit back at McIlroy via a message which was directed to Chubby Chandler — who runs the management company that looks after both players.

Westwood said: “thanks chubb. Rory’s disappointed! Apparently he's half Danish now!”

He followed that up by baiting McIlroy with: “At least you made a choice on this one! What shall I be? Irish/British? British/Irish? Confused!”

To which McIlroy replied: “At least I’m not English.”

McIlroy’s former girlfriend Holly Sweeney had her say too. In a message sent to both parties she said: “handbags at Dawn!”

Instead of being in Paris, McIlroy was at Old Trafford yesterday where he watched Manchester United defeat Chelsea 3-1 to open up a two-point lead in the Premier League.

In July, McIlroy launched an attack on BBC commentator Jay Townsend, himself a former professional, following the first round of the Irish Open.

Townsend criticised McIlroy’s course management and his caddy JP Fitzgerald, to which he said: “Shut up ... you’re a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!”