McIlroy ‘resents’ Olympics

RORY McIlroy has revealed how he “resents” t he Olympics because of the way he was left feeling when he pulled out of representing Ireland i n Rio.

The world No 2 was one of a host of the sport’s biggest names not t o compete at the first Olympic golf event since 1904, with Team GB’s Justin Rose eventually winning the gold medal.

McIlroy, born in Northern Ireland, initially opted to represent Ireland rather than Great Britain before taking the decision not to participate at all.

Now t he 27-year-old says he has plenty of ill-feeling t owards t he Olympics as a result.

“I started to resent it,” he said. “And I do. I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in, that’s my feeling towards it, and whether that’s right or wrong, it’s how I feel.

“When it was announced in 2009, all of a sudden it put me in a position where I had to question who I am. Who am I ? Where am I f ro m ? W h e r e d o my loyalties lie?”

McIlroy said he sent Rose a text after his victory but still did not feel as though he had made a mistake by deciding against competing.

With four Majors to his name, McIlroy stays i n Florida, where he plays golf with Tiger Woods.

Woods, arguably golf’s most famous face, has 14 Majors to his name but McIlroy insists he would not trade his own level of anonymity in the US for Woods’ trophy haul.

He added: “I’ve played golf with him and said: ‘What are you doing tonight? Do you want to come and have dinner with us?’ And he can’t.”

Rory McIlroy