McIlroy to reconsider Olympic position
Golf:Rory McIlroy admitted today that the reaction to comments he made about choosing who to compete for in the 2016 Olympics is making him think again. Golf’s world number one had said he was leaning towards representing Team GB rather than Ireland because “the fact is I have always felt more British than Irish”.
It brought criticism from some people, mainly because he had represented Ireland on numerous occasions before turning professional in 2007. He has since played for Ireland alongside Graeme McDowell in golf's World Cup.
The 23-year-old will not have to make a decision until just before the Rio Games, but he said in Atlanta today: “After everything that happened last week it definitely makes me reconsider my position and reconsider a lot of things. I think it just really hit home with me how important it is for a lot of people and how important my success has been to them.
“Obviously, I’ve had a lot of support from all sides — from people that call themselves Irish, from Northern Irish, to the whole of the UK, to people over here in the States. It just hit home with me at how my success is welcomed by everyone.
It would be terrible for me to nearly segregate myself from one of those group that supports me so much.
“It’s four years away — I still have a bit of time to decide. But, I’m very, very appreciative and very grateful of the support that I get from everyone. It’s great that I get so much support. There are not many people in my position that have to go through what I might have to go through in four years’ time, but it is what it is.
“I’m a golfer first and foremost and I just want to play well on the golf course. Hopefully people enjoy that and the entertainment that that brings.”
McIlroy has also dismissed the idea that he fills Tiger Woods with fear, even though Woods, tongue firmly in cheek, has started calling him “The Intimidator”. On the eve of their latest clash, one with a $10 million jackpot at the end of it, McIlroy simply laughed today when asked about comments by Greg Norman.
Australia’s former world number one sparked a debate heading into the Tour Championship in Atlanta by offering the opinion that Woods now realises he is not the best player in golf any more. “What I’m seeing is that Tiger’s really intimidated by Rory,” Norman said in an interview. “I think he knows his time is up.”
Asked for his reaction, current number one McIlroy, winner of three of his last four events, said: “No, how can I intimidate Tiger Woods? I mean, the guy’s got 70-whatever PGA Tour wins, 14 Majors, he’s been the biggest thing ever in our sport.
