Rory McIlroy has spoken about the importance of the Olympic Games as he looks to bounce back after his recent disappointments at the US Open and The Open Championship.
Rory McIlroy has spoken candidly about the importance of the Paris Olympics as he looks to overcome his major heartache.
The 35-year-old came agonisingly close to ending his decade-long wait for the fifth major title of his career at the US Open. McIlroy was closing in on victory but two cruel missed putts on the final 16th and 18th holes resulted in him giving up his lead to Bryson DeChambeau in agonising fashion. It was the fourth time he had finished as runner-up at a major since his PGA Championship triumph in 2014.
Following the US Open, a dejected McIlroy took a brief spell away from golf as he looked to reset his mind and end his major curse at The Open Championship in July. However, it did not go to plan for the Northern Irishman, who missed the cut for the third day at Royal Troon.
The Olympic Games offer McIlroy a fresh shot at glory, away from the shadow of his major title hoodoo. There is some debate about the importance of Olympic golf compared to the four majors, given that it was absent from the Olympics for 112 years until 2016, but McIlroy has spoken with pride about representing Team Ireland in Paris.
“It would be the achievement, certainly of the year,” McIlroy said when asked about the prospect of winning an Olympic medal. “I think for me, it’s well documented that I haven’t won one of the big four in 10 years. It would probably be one of, if not the biggest in my career for the last 10 years.”
This admission from McIlroy shows he is willing to address his major disappointments, both at the recent Open Championship and his 10-year wait for a fifth title. Ahead of the four-day men’s event getting underway on Thursday, McIlroy was determined to prove that his poor showing at Royal Troon was a one-off in his bid for Olympic glory.
“My focus is pretty high. The last time you guys saw me, I didn’t give a very good account of myself [in the Open] at Troon,” McIlroy admitted. “I want to make sure I’m right where I need to be teeing off on Thursday.
“I’ve been asked this question a lot, where would an Olympic medal sit in sort of the hierarchy of my career achievements and it’s something I probably won’t be able to answer until everything is said and done.
“I don’t know if anything will be able to sit alongside the majors. We have our four events a year that are the gold standard. But I think this is going to be, in time, right up there among that.”
McIlroy, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in a play-off at the Tokyo Games, is representing Team Ireland alongside Shane Lowry. The Team GB contingent is comprised of Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The men’s golf began at Le Golf National on Thursday with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teeing up for Ireland.
Some of the world’s top golfers – many who play for eye-watering amounts of money each week – will be fighting it out for gold, silver and bronze medals.
Representing Team GB are Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, but it’s a who’s who of world golf on show, including world number one Scottie Scheffler (US), recent Open winner Xander Schauffele (US), Australia’s Jason Day and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.
But why is McIlroy representing Ireland, not Team GB at the Paris Olympics?
The Northern Irishman is from County Down, Holywood, near Belfast, which was officially named the best place to live in Northern Ireland in 2021.
However, the 35-year-old said he has a “sense of resentment” towards having to pick which country he would represent.
But “Team GB” as a term in itself has cone under fire for seemingly excluding Northern Ireland, and there have been calls to rebrand it as “Team UK”.
For the 2021 Olympics in Toyko McIlroy chose to represent Ireland, saying this was just because “he has always” done so in international golf, despite saying he “feels more British” than Irish.
He said: “I made it more difficult for myself than I needed to. My feeling towards it was more ‘What will other people think?’ Once I got that out of my head and just tried to do what was right for me, then it became easy. It was me wrestling with all of those things.
“As I said, previously, once I left trying not to upset anyone aside, then it was actually a pretty easy decision. The decision was I’m going to play golf for the country or the nation that I’ve always played for through my junior and amateur days and now into the professional game.
“Even though the Olympics has given me this choice, there really wasn’t a choice because all I’ve done throughout my life is play golf for Ireland so why would that change just because the tournament has changed. That was my decision.”
Tommy Fleetwood will look to call on his “special” memories of Le Golf National as he goes for Olympic gold this week.
Fleetwood won the Open de France at the venue just outside Paris in 2017 and another career highlight occurred the following year as he won four points in five matches to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup.
He struck up a winning combination with Francesco Molinari – the pair prevailed in all four matches together – and the Italian claimed the winning point to guarantee victory over the United States.
Asked about his favourite memory of that week, Fleetwood said: “Winning moment. It was my first Ryder Cup, that winning moment on the 16th hole when Fran had finally clinched it, that was the one for me.
“That Ryder Cup was a special week and this is a very special week. Any time you come to a golf course and you’ve played well around there and you’ve got visions of good golf shots, you feel better than somewhere where you’ve always struggled.
“When I was look at making the Olympics, coming to Le Golf National, first of all, there’s knowing the course. If you’ve played it quite a lot, that’s always a helping hand.”
Fleetwood performed well on his Olympics debut in Tokyo three years ago although an overall score of 11 under par was only good enough for joint-16th, seven shots off gold medallist Xander Schauffele.
The 33-year-old goes into Thursday’s first round motivated by the efforts of close friend and swimmer James Guy, who helped Team GB to victory in the men’s 4x200 metres freestyle relay on Tuesday evening.
“He sent me a picture saying “love you, brother” with his gold medal. Watching at home, I was unbelievably happy for him, how well he swam and how well the team did. I’m so proud and happy for him.
“I think the Olympics is amazing, I really, really do. I feel very lucky to be here and be amongst it. It does, it inspires me.”
Unlike Team GB team-mate Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick has won a major after triumphing at the 2022 US Open and while he would not put an Olympic gold in the same bracket, he is relishing the experience.
Ahead of his first appearance at the Games, the 29-year-old said: “The gold medal isn’t at the top of every golfer’s list, the four majors are. There’s no doubt about that.
“But I’d certainly say it’s underneath that. Before I arrived here and kind of got the feel for the Olympics itself, you probably underestimate how big it is.
“Once you are here and you realise the gravity of the whole event and how much it means to other people, not just as an athlete and golfer, you realise that a gold medal would feel very special.
“I always remember growing up watching the Olympics and understanding how big a deal it was.
“I would say it’s a cool feeling that you’re going for something that’s different, and you feel part of something a little bit bigger.”
Rory McIlroy's Olympic Decision: A Clash of Identity and Loyalty
The decision of whether to represent Team GB or Ireland for Northern Irish athletes has been a topic of much discussion and debate. McIlroy, being from Northern Ireland, found himself caught in this dilemma, navigating the complexities of his identity and loyalty.
McIlroy’s decision to represent Team Ireland was a personal one, driven by a sense of continuity and a desire to remain true to his sporting roots. He acknowledged that his feelings towards the choice were initially shaped by external pressures, but he ultimately prioritized his own values and chose to represent the country he had always competed for.
Despite feeling “more British” than Irish, McIlroy’s decision to represent Team Ireland stemmed from a deep sense of loyalty to his sporting past. He saw it as a natural extension of his journey as an athlete, a path forged through junior and amateur golf, leading him to the professional ranks.
McIlroy’s decision highlights the delicate balance between national identity and athletic representation. For athletes from Northern Ireland, the choice between Team GB and Ireland is not merely a sporting decision but a reflection of their personal and cultural allegiances.
Le Golf National: A Venue Rich with History and Significance
Le Golf National, the venue for the men’s Olympic golf tournament, holds a special place in McIlroy’s heart, brimming with both fond memories and ambitious aspirations. The course, nestled just outside Paris, has witnessed some of his most defining moments in the world of golf.
His victory at the Open de France in 2017, a triumph that solidified his prowess on this demanding course, serves as a source of inspiration as he seeks to conquer the Olympic stage. Moreover, his stellar performance at the 2018 Ryder Cup, where he helped Europe reclaim the coveted trophy, further deepens his connection to this venue.
Le Golf National’s history resonates with McIlroy’s journey, reminding him of past triumphs and fueling his desire for future glory. The course becomes more than just a playing ground, it transforms into a testament to his dedication and a stage for his relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Pursuit of Gold: A Collective Effort
The Paris Olympics presents a unique platform for McIlroy and his Team Ireland counterpart, Shane Lowry, to unite and strive for a shared goal. Their pursuit of Olympic gold transcends individual aspirations, becoming a testament to their national pride and a symbol of their unwavering dedication to their sport.
The camaraderie and shared ambition within the team foster a sense of collective responsibility and drive, motivating them to push their limits and deliver exceptional performances. Their journey together underscores the significance of teamwork, emphasizing the power of shared goals and the strength derived from unwavering support.
The Paris Olympics provide an opportunity for McIlroy to rewrite his legacy and etch his name in the annals of Olympic history. As he steps onto the green at Le Golf National, he carries the hopes and dreams of a nation, determined to achieve the elusive Olympic gold and leave an indelible mark on the Games.
