BuzzRoll
Rory McIlroy: Olympic golf doesn’t matter and I won’t be watching
Rory McIlroy, who will not be competing in the Olympics in Rio, told the media at Royal Troon on Tuesday that he will also not be watching the golf portion of the competition, instead tuning in for “Track and field, swimming, diving… the stuff that matters.”
More of McIlroy’s Olympic remarks:
“I don’t feel like I’ve let the game down at all. I didn’t get into the game of golf to try and grow the game. I tried to get into golf to win major championships and all of a sudden you get to this point and there’s a responsibility on you to grow the game.
“I get that but at the same time that’s not the reason I got into golf. I got into golf to win – not to get other people into the game. I get that different people have different opinions but I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made and I’ve got no regrets about it. I’m sure I’ll be watching the Olympics but I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I’ll watch.”
What do you think? Props for the honesty? Or do you think the most marketable golfer in the game shouldn’t be saying such things about his struggling sport as it returns to the Olympics?
And heading off one line of discussion: This isn’t a freedom of speech issue. We respect honesty. Indeed, we crave honesty from our public figures. But the other side of that coin is when they say things worthy of criticism, we have the right to criticize them.
Criticism or praise, let us know what you think about McIlroy’s remarks in the comments below.
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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a set of Cobra Forged One Length irons.
From the seller: (@adamwittman): “4-PW, GW, lw. Nunchuk shafts. $350 tyd conusa.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Cobra Forged One Length irons
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Kevin Kisner’s new Callaway X Forged CB irons which he has in the bag at this week’s CJ Cup. WRXers have been commenting on the switch and the clubs themselves in our forums.
For lots more photos, check out the full thread here.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- btyh: “Holy offset.”
- Glf_LU: “These are interesting. Not going to make a rush to judgement until I see them in person. It does look like a little more offset than I would expect to see in this model.”
- bcflyguy1: “Kisner is not one to make a lot of equipment changes (see the GBB driver he’s still using), so if these do have staying power in his bag that will be interesting to see. I have to wonder if there’s something different about his set, because like others have mentioned there appears to be more offset on his than I recall seeing in the samples I’ve had in hand.”
Entire Thread: “Kevin Kisner’s new Callaway X Forged CB irons”
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As part of a Srixon campaign, four PGA Tour players recently participated in a three-hole challenge, with each hole being a different game; hole No. 1 was blindfolded, hole No. 2 was costumes and distractions, and hole No. 3 was alternate shot with a baseball bat. The teams were Smylie Kaufman and Sam Ryder against Shane Lowry and Grayson Murray.
Watch the full video below, since it is quite entertaining (albeit not the type of golf that Old Tom Morris surely had in mind), but in particular, make sure to check out the first hole where Lowry and Ryder play a full hole completely blind folded. It’s amazing to watch how badly Ryder struggles, and how Lowry nearly makes par.
What happens when 4 #PGATOUR pros take a day off?
Luckily, the cameras were rolling.
Watch @shanelowrygolf, @graysonmurray, @smyliekaufman10, and @samrydersu in #SrixonVS. pic.twitter.com/C4LJwQgmZ7— Srixon (@SrixonGolf) June 25, 2018
Cleveland-Srixon’s marketing department has been hard at work crafting these viral-esque ad campaigns; if you remember, former long-drive champion Jamie Sadlowski recently dressed as 80-year-old Grandpa Jamie to fool range-goers. That video has since gathered over 1.2 million views on YouTube.
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WonderMan
Jul 15, 2016 at 10:10 pm
Olympics is for feats of strength/endurance you train your whole life for, compete 1-3 times over the course of 4-12 years; then fade away to become a coach for the next batch of people who train their whole lives for the Olympics.
Hockey, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, Golf and other professional sports do not belong in the Olympics. They all have numerous world stage events to show off their skill.
The ONLY reason to go to the Olympics is to take advantage of the sex that happens in the Athletes Village.
Dave
Jul 14, 2016 at 10:16 pm
Joe you and the Smlz should get together and hug .Rio most corrupt place on plant earth .
Ian
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:46 pm
I think a lot of the lads are playing the plausible deniability card. Zika virus? How about, I’m a multimillionaire golfer who isn’t in a big hurry to go to a country where there is virtually no rule of law but lots of corruption. Where people are kidnapped and held for ransom, etc. etc. I know I wouldn’t go. Not until they could actually pay their police force and guarantee the general safety of the masses. Just sayin’…
Bob
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:14 pm
The Olympics is a joke ever since it became an elites professional event. Good for Rory standing up and stating the truth. Professional golf along with the other professional sports do not belong in the Olympics.
jgpl001
Jul 13, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Well done Rory, tell it the way it is.
The PC brigade never like hearing the truth
The Olympics belong to another era before sport was professional and global and amateur athletics was all there was. Now it’s without honour and dominated by professionals and drug cheats
Golf in the Olympics is a joke, get over it
Anthony Polakov
Jul 13, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Rory made a mistake and will regret it. He obviously doesn’t have any interest in participating or watch golf in the Olympics. But to say it doesn’t matter is a major fopaw!. By making that statement it is obvious that the Zika virus was not the reason or not the main reason for his withdrawal. The Olympics have become a stage for the IOC and any other Olympic committee to make big bucks, that is why the pros are now in the games. The Purest amateur contest is now as commercial as it gets. All the athletes are there to cash in if they can. IMHO, what really matters is the almighty dollar and you get that by winning. Whether you do it in the Olympics or in your own given sport!
Molly
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:48 pm
This is a hole that Rory will never dig himself out of. It is simply impossible for me to imagine Nicklaus, or Arnie, or, yes, even Tiger or Phil making these kind of comments at this very late date. I used to like Rory in a lot of ways, but now I see him as little more than a money-grubbing narcissist. This is week that Rory will wish never happened.
Keith W.
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:46 pm
I found Rory’s comments shockingly arrogant. Following the U.S. Open Rory stated that his decision was directly related to Zika and nothing more. Given his comments about the event does not “MATTER”….then he lied about his reasoning. He really just has complete disdain for the Olympic golf and for the profession that provides him a pretty goddamn good living. But this jibes with his recent comments in an interview with Feherty when he stated that “golf is no longer fun” to him. Owing to the fact that the Olympics offer NO APPEARANCE FEE to participate, it seems he meant what he told Feherty.
As for his other comments about growing the game, he forgets his own experiences in that Tiger was his absolute hero and inspiration to play golf and become great (he had posters of Tigers on his bedroom walls when he was a kid). He appears now to have evolved into a total narcissist and completely self-absorbed.
Were it not for golf, this youngster would be nothing more than a high school drop-out and probably nothing more than a bartender like his father. Regardless, two things are undeniable about Rory, he has proven to be a talented golfer and an extraordinary PUNK!
Scott Schwarting
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Blah, blah, blah . . . . .
What Rory should have pointed out is that he is busy preparing for a tournament that is being played for its 145th time. That’s right, 145. That’s history, that’s what matters to golf and golfers and golf fans. Not some contrived event that has no history, has little future, and has a boring format. The Olympics will NEVER be the pinnacle of golf, Never, Ever.
The thing I like about golfers is that they are thoughtful and honest in their answers. There are times that they don’t say what everyone wants to hear, and don’t say things as diplomatically as they could (like Rory yesterday), but at least they’re honest. Rory’s been honest about money, too. He says he has plenty, way more than he needs, and that he doesn’t play tournaments for money. He likes to win, and likes to win majors more than anything, although he said that winning the Irish open was close.
And if you honestly think that there are any top golfers that aren’t narcissists, then you’re kidding yourself.
Doug
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Why are the pros playing ……The Olympics is for amateurs…..Same for basketball…Pros do not belong there. Who cares what the pros have to say….
Bob
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:08 pm
That’s when the Olympics became a joke. It is about the elite professionals and making money.
Professional golf does not belong in the Olympics.
Joe
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:03 pm
It is absolutely not Rory’s job to grow the game. That responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the USGA, R & A, the local organizations, and all the course owners and managers around the world. A professional golfers responsibility is keep their card and to at least try to set a positive example while earning their living. And if he happens to motivate people to go play the game, then that’s icing on the cake. He doesn’t owe “golf” anything more than that. If a Pro loses their tour card after tryingtheir best “golf” doesn’t owe that guy/girl anything. Golf isn’t going to live or die because of Rory, the Olympics, Tiger, or anything else. It’ll live or die by its viability as sport, and right now, unfortunately, it’s viability is pretty low.
Gordy
Jul 13, 2016 at 10:37 am
It is not Rory’s job to grow the game agreed. He has every right to decline the invitation, agreed. If I were in his spot it would be hard to turn down representing my country but I’m in the Army and have been to every poop hole in the world it seems. But, I think I may decline. All his comments showed me he’s not a leader in the game. A true leader does things that maybe he shouldn’t have to do, but does it any way because it’s the right thing to do. For everything negative about Tiger and how selfish he is, he understood this. Rory showed cuts and weakness in his interview. Sometimes when making a decision you have to deal with the criticism and not fight back. But I applaud him for telling the truth. Golf shouldn’t be an Olympic sport, the same with basketball and tennis.
No W
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:06 pm
No WMDs though.
JOEL GOODMAN
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:16 pm
FIRST TIME SINCE HIS NAME MADE PUBLIC THAT HE SPOKE INTELLIGENTLY. HE USUALLY SOUNDS LIKE A PUTZ.
Scott
Jul 13, 2016 at 9:50 am
that is a 180 degree difference in a matter of a couple weeks.
Justin
Jul 13, 2016 at 8:00 am
I hate to tell Rory but as a Professional Golfer in 2016 it is precisely your job to grow the game. Do you think for one minute that big swoosh takes him on to sell less shoes? Less golf equipment? Are the purses so incredibly outlandish on tour because the corporate and TV sponsors want less patrons and eyes on TV? Sometimes your ego allows you to forget who butters your bread and this is a prime example of this. I don’t think for one minute that Rory desires for golf to be where it was 50-60 years ago where he would be working at club between events just trying to make ends meet. People why are you giving props to him for being honest? Does it make you feel better knowing your favorite Golfer is a DBag who doesn’t care if you or your children/future children watch or play the game?
SMH…..
Ian
Jul 13, 2016 at 11:30 am
Well said. I enjoy watching him play, but very short sighted on his part indeed.
Jean
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I agree as well. It should be obvious, and the greats of the game understand this symbiosis.
Just look at Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Serena et al. in tennis. Tiger’s def in that same category, and it seems Spieth and Day might be as well, even though they’ve pulled out of the OL. Pulling out is ok I guess, but Rory’s I-didn’t-get-into-golf-to-grow-it excuse is proof he lacks the ability to see his role in context. If he wants a lesser role, he should have told Nike 😉
Jwb
Jul 13, 2016 at 7:23 am
Looks like someone got off the talking points. I’m sure his publicist was cringing. My guess is if Zika was spelled with $ika Rors and the most mature young man in Tezas would both show.
leo vincent
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Absolutely correct i liked Rory’s comments more players should speak honestly instead of giving politically correct canned responses. I would like for more players to say I just don’t want to go to the Olympics no further explanation is necessary.Saying the sports that matter are the Olympic sports that matter to him most tour players ,or at least the ones I know personally, don’t watch golf on TV if they are not playing in the event.The only thing he failed to mention is a lot of tour players are in it to make a lot of money as much as for any love of the game.
don d.
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:48 am
I miss the old days when the Olympics was for amateurs or something close. Seems awfully easy to blame not going to rio on a virus. The real reason is the time it takes 2 wks instead of one for the pros and Rio is an armpit of a city . I would not go either but nobody is asking. P.S. I will watch the golf for sure.
dd
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:38 am
Well you know who argued with the world and made it a Pro event, don’t you? The Americans. The Yanks argued in the world courts that the Soviets were actually paying their athletes with states funds, so that should be considered Professional in the eyes of the West, and if that’s the case then we should all be allowed to use paid Professionals. And that’s history, as the saying goes.
tiger
Jul 13, 2016 at 5:15 am
we argued because i was true. what should have happened was the soviets should have been tossed out…and only amateurs allowed.
Steve
Jul 13, 2016 at 10:14 am
That sure sounds like the Soviets are to blame…
rymail00
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:24 am
im curious if he really, sincerely, doesn’t care about the Olympic golf, or is just saying so to help to help himself not care because his team thinks he shouldn’t risk missing future events if he gets sick/Zeka etc. (honestly, obviously i have no idea what sparks his comments and I’m just totally guessing, I wouldn’t be surprised if both my guesses were waaaaaay off the mark). Also if golf had been in the Olympics as long as all the other major events I think most pros would do more to try to play in it. It’s been over 100 since golfs been an Olympic sport, and has no where the prestige as a major. I think if in 40 years or more, more pros might care more about about olympic golf.
Anyways just random thoughts from some random guy on the Internet 🙂
8thehardway
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:25 pm
So Rory’s in Rio, about to tap in a two-inch putt and sees two potentially Zika-filled mosquitoes hiding behind his ball; panicked, he tries to squash them with his putter but he misses and the thump causes his ball to roll in the cup. If Rory calls an official over for a ruling but the official won’t come because those mosquitoes are nearby and angry what are Rory’s options?
dd
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:39 am
Keep trying. You might make it on WRX as one of the worst writers lmao
Howard
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:52 pm
I’m curious as to why he would go to say that it doesn’t matter. As in, does he imply that golf shouldn’t be in the Olympics because it doesn’t matter, or the competition wouldn’t matter because the quality of golf could be seen as less because the majority of the Top 5 players in the Official World Golf Rankings are not going to play.
I mean, I respect his competitive spirit, and I don’t think everyone has to make an effort to grow the game, but I am happy there are PGA and European Tour pros out there that go out of their way to.
However, no matter how you phrase it or interpret it, he was asking for trouble with that statement.
KK
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Rio is nasty and the IOC are a band of crooks. Every pro athlete should stay away.
cmyktaylor
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:37 pm
I agree with Rory on this one. I was kinda taken by the concept of Golf in the Olympics, till I watched the International Golf Federation (IGF) press conference, and realized I didn’t want to see or hear about another ‘golf organization’ looking for ways to fill their unrelated pockets.
I’ve been pulling for Spieth this year, but with Rory’s candor, I might just be just as happy if Rory or even Dustin wins instead.
Jeff
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:13 pm
I for one think it’s pathetic that the male golfers aren’t showing up and based on Rory recent comments I’m not a fan of his or the others not showing up. I’m not giving them a pass and the general public will not look kindly on it either. IMO you are going to have a lot of people that never watch golf watching and that will be very good exposure for those going.
Joe
Jul 12, 2016 at 5:45 pm
I am not a fan of Golf being an Olympic sport.
I would think that Arnold Palmer would not agree with Rory’s attitude. Rory seems to think that the tour and game of golf was put here just to make him money. He enjoys his status thanks to men like Palmer who believe in paying something back to the fans and bringing more players to the game. I am very disappointed that Rory thinks he is entitled. Hardy a humble attitude.
I do believe that Pro Golfers owe something to Golf. Part of that is helping the game grow.
That is done by being a mentor to young golfers, and spreading the word of golf. Many Pro’s participate in the First Tee program, or put on exhibitions.
J
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Except he already has a foundation that helps kids, and he’s only 26. So he’s giving back to the world as a whole, not just the game of golf. Like it or not, no one outside of Palmer or Woods is going to bring players to the game on a macroscopic level, that’s on larger organizations to make the game more accessible and fun for younger generations. And Arnold was in it to make money just like everyone else, otherwise he wouldn’t put his name on everything imaginable and have/had endorsements.
Steve
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:46 pm
“Many Pro’s participate in the First Tee program, or put on exhibitions.”
You do realize that Rory falls into this category, right?
Joe
Jul 13, 2016 at 5:54 pm
I know he falls into that category. However, his comment about giving back is counter productive to giving back. He does owe something to golf, golf is his employer and his pay comes from the people who support golf. I am speaking to sponsors and the public who financially enrich the sport. Saying he owes nothing to golf is selfish and biting the hand that feeds you.
He needs to grow up.
Deon
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Ben… there you go again… just like your other articles. Your articles have no substance. They are pure click bait with twisted titles. He NEVER said he WON’T watch golf. He said he “doesn’t know if he will be watching Olympic golf”. I don’t picture that someone with his responsibilities has time just to sit down on a couch and watch 16 hours of golf. Come on dude… stop with the click bait and word twisting and actually write an article with substance…. or find a job at Fox News… they would love you.
Ben Alberstadt
Jul 13, 2016 at 11:46 am
1. 90% of the significance is that he said it doesn’t matter. 2. The “not watching” is a paraphrase. Same thing everyone else is doing.
Vancouver Mellencamp
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Rory is 100% right and glad he spit some truth here.
Geoff
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:18 pm
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/05/27/rio-olympics-zika-letter-postpone-world-heath-organization/85036174/
Seems like a pretty easy decision when you are possibly thinking of having children and play a sport where you will be outside 8-hours a day between warming up, playing, and travel. Not to mention that carjackings in many parts of Brazil aren’t out of the norm.
http://www.expatarrivals.com/brazil/safety-in-brazil
Joshuaplaysgolf
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Anyone think Tiger’s goal was to grow the game? Nope. And he grew it more than anyone. Ever. Winning and being polarizing draws people to you. That’s what Tiger was: polarizing and dominant. More honesty in my sports, please. Love this.
Dr Troy
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:35 pm
110% AGREE.
Logical
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:12 pm
it’s sad reading the short sightedness of so many. Yeah, maybe tiger didn’t join to grow the game, but like most intelligent people who evolve with age, you begin to realize a growing game is a healthy game more able to pay YOU. As such, you do see efforts on his (and most mature adults involved in/making a living from the game) part to give back and grow the game. But Rory is still an immature kid giving immature answers. It’s not honesty, but his lack of maturity that still surprises me at times.
“The Best result comes from everyone in the group doing what’s best for himself. Incomplete. Incomplete. Because the best result will come when everyone in the group doing what’s best for himself and the group.”
Joshuaplaysgolf
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:23 pm
So he’s not being honest about his views?? Him being ‘immature’ is your OPINION. Regardless of the maturity of the response, it’s an honest one. Can you point out any areas where Tiger actively tried to get kids into the game?? I’m not saying it’s not important, I’m not saying it’s not part of the game. What I am saying is that when the golf world exploded around the Tiger era, the dude was a total recluse and didn’t care about anyone or anything other than winning. Get your fortune cookie wisdom out of here.
Jack
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:52 am
Total recluse? He did a ton of commercials (for money of course), his foundation, exhibitions (more money) and even hosted a tournament. He was the face of the sport. It’s hard to be a recluse being that.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Jul 13, 2016 at 8:36 am
That response shows precisely how little you actually know about the guy. It’s well documented he actively avoided contact with people outside his very tight inner-circle. Doing ads and having your name on a tournament doesn’t mean you aren’t reclusive. Educate yourself, for your sake.
Logical
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Not sure what the guy’s choice of friends and inner circles has to do with his impact and contribution to growing the game and giving back….you seem to be focused on something irrelevant.
There’s immaturity in every answer Rory gives reguarding a game that has made him a famous millionaire. since you don’t know tiger’s actual contribution, I suspect you’re another millennial out to get yours. Good for you, that’s going to end well and happily for all of you, everyone will keep getting those trophies. Someday, when you get a little older and realize there are billions of other people sharing the planet with you, maybe your perspective will broaden.
Mike Honcho
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Praise!!! I don’t want more people playing. 5 hour weekend rounds behind a bunch of turnip heads wearing blue jean shorts, playing TopFlites and blaring ‘twang’ music in their cart is enough! There is the ‘true’ golfer crew who knows the etiquette of the game and can play at 4 hours no matter their handicap. Growing the game is just inviting more turnip heads.
Mike
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Don’t make me take your money in jorts blaring Bocephus….
Bert
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:38 pm
+1
Jack
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Totally agree with Rory. No one cares about the Olympics anymore.
Michael
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:18 pm
That’s not really what he said.
Erik
Jul 12, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Its his decision. Because the world top golfers are afraid, more afraid then athletes in general, golf is out of Olympics next year.
You never know, but Olympics could have been good for golf. Now it’s a game for kids following dad’s. It’s not a cool game by any means. It’s for sissy’s.
Steve
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Will the Olympics make golf cheaper and speed up the pace of play? No? Then it won’t make much of a difference.
Joe
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:24 pm
100% correct Steve! Until the expense of golf changes, golf will continue its downward spiral. It’ll find its natural balance, at some point, as a fringe sport (many more viewers than participants).
Erik
Jul 14, 2016 at 1:10 am
It might, if we could return golf to being a sport. Not just a social activity with buddies.
We had so much more competition when I was a junior. For all members and not just pros.
Mike Berlin
Jul 12, 2016 at 2:15 pm
What a totally misleading headline. From the quote Rory never says what the headline communicates to the reader.
John
Jul 12, 2016 at 2:12 pm
sure is a different song than the one he was singing a week or two ago on “Feherety”. He was saying how it would be a dream come true to be an Olympian, win a gold medal, blah, blah, blah.. Guess that was all bs to look good in that interview.
birly-shirly
Jul 13, 2016 at 5:24 am
Get it right. He clearly says in that interview how he did NOT dream of playing in the Olympics. Yeah – he’s trying to sound enthusiastic about the prospect, but clearly struggling to rank the significance of an Olympic gold compared to other tour events and majors.
ooffa
Jul 12, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Selfish little booger isn’t he.
golfbum
Jul 12, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Been sitting back on this one and here goes. GOLF in the Olympics “can” matter. However lets understand its history. 1900 and 1904 they barely could field a tournament. So, why after 100+ years is golf all of a sudden in the games? Because NBC/TGC said so! With that all major golf brands will be PUMPING $100 millions of dollars into advertising. So in essence a corporate takeover of the sport. Now here is where I truly see what or where these professionals are coming from.
Unlike an Olympic athlete who trains for this every 4 year event, golf is an every week event where MILLIONS are to be had for good play…well, MILLIONS are to be had for just being sponsored by the right brand ( Titleist, TM, Nike etc). Right now, NBC has the Olympic trials on and I am listening to the athletes tell the story of the sacrifices and excitement on making the team for the first time, or the story of a woman who is competing in her 3rd games ( she is 29)..right now 30 days to go these athletes are working their butts off to make the team.
….but with golf, you just take an subjective world ranking system and you are on your countries team. Says who? Regardless, where is the competition for Americans to make the team. Why only PGA tour players? Rory, perhaps sees the hypocrisy, Speith as well. Interesting counterpoint is the WOMAN? They WANT the exposure, because being an Olympic medal winner is sponsorship wind fall as much as winning the US OPEN, for them.
So, golf in the Olympics can matter. But only if they use the NEXT 4 years setting up a qualify format that EVERY AMERICAN golfer with the right credentials can send in an entry. Like the US OPEN: where 5000+ plus entry’s are received and in a 6 weeks span narrow down the field.
Olympic Games are not about growing as sport. There still will be pistol shooting and archery: however there will not be a TV channel DEDICATED to it like The Golf Channel.
steve
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Funny that you thought anyone would read that.
golfbum
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:24 pm
You did, apparently. This is a subjective forum, however your comment makes it objective now.
Steve
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:38 pm
“Why only PGA tour players?”
Because they are pretty easily the best in the world at what they do… Why do only NBA players make the US basketball team?
golfbum
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Up until 1989 composed of amateur players, a 1989 rule change by FIBA allowed USA Basketball to field teams with professional players. The first such team, won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Again, why? because corporate brands like NIKE et al held influence because of the advertising dollars to be spent and the ROI to be made! I recall when Alan Iverson had to drape a flag over his jersey so to hide the NIKE logo on his jersey as he was an Adidas sponsored player. To say that PGA players are the best is not really relevant in an event that allows anyone in a specific sport to be able to represent their country. I know a lot of amateurs who can play quite well but never chose a professional career: the point I was making is that in 4 years the USA can go thru a regional and sectional qualifying system allowing the best to make the team. World Ranking does not jive for me: what you are seeing are players being forced, for lack of a better word, to play in an event they don’t want to just because they qualify under a system. I stand on my reference that NBC and the Golf Channel are the driving force behind golf in the Olympics: there is $$$ to be made by advertising revenues: golf wont be on NBC it will be on TGC.
Onintwo
Jul 13, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Well said. You are right they are being arbitrarily forced! Wow. There is no real system for those that dream of playing. No open forum. Great post.
Jim
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Now the truth starts to come out and it has less to do with Zika and more to do with the lack of desire to play golf in the Olympics for most of the pros. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if they drop golf by the next Olympics either. Frankly it doesn’t belong there anyways in my opinion. I’ll watch it this time though.
Greg V
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Rory does junior clinics all the time – which of course helps grow the game.
Some people lead by example.
Travis
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Not like he had a chance to win anyways; He is about as bad as tiger anymore.
Joe
Jul 12, 2016 at 5:49 pm
Ridiculous statement.
mitch
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:31 pm
big props to Rory! he knows what the pros are thinking , and he just said it!
Fight for the old country
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:10 pm
He deflected the PC problem by saying it’s his own interest, in this round about way, because he couldn’t very well say that he is neither Irish nor truly allied to the UK, which is more the issue here, I think, a decision which is very hard for a boy from NI to make, after having seen NI do well in Euro 2016. And this is a way of sorts to get out of the Olympics because he just can’t be forced to take sides over that issue.
Fight for the old country
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Sorry, should have said GB, and not UK, it is the Olympics after all but you get the drift lol
Chris
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Non-story for me, I don’t see the issue with his comments. Depends what ‘growing the game’ means to you. I’m sure he spends a huge amount of time promoting the game both at and away from tournaments throughout each season. In the press conference he actually says he understands his responsibilities to the game.
Aspiring to be an Olympian should be a carrot for amateur golfers not pros. Participation at the lower end of the game is where the problem lies. Inspiration for the regular golfer required.
Nick
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Ben Alberstadt, I’m curious. What is your professional role with GolfWRX? I’ve read a number of your “columns” in the past and I’ve noticed they have a common theme.
Are you golf’s version of a tabloid journalist? Is it really your job to be a flagrant gossip?
Best of luck stirring the pot buddy.
Timbleking
Jul 12, 2016 at 2:18 pm
Amen!
Annoyed
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Double amen! Ben has been making me sick since his Trump bashing article from months ago got pulled after a day. Stop injecting this sensationalism into a golf website. I come here to read about golf to escape the PC, Kardashian, click bait misleading headline drivel that lives in every other place on the internet. I actually like the honesty from Rory. Could have just read his words and nothing else in this article.
-NOW-anyone else see that cool new red HZRDUS shaft….
birly-shirly
Jul 13, 2016 at 5:15 am
Well said. Ben asks “What do you think? Props for the honesty? Or do you think the most marketable golfer in the game shouldn’t be saying such things about his struggling sport as it returns to the Olympics?”
That’s about as balanced but not as funny as “So Debbie, what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”
Ben pitches this as a conflict between honesty and duty. What about the possibility that Rory might, gasp, be RIGHT?
Ben Alberstadt
Jul 13, 2016 at 11:45 am
Have you seen every other website? I don’t think my headline is of a different tone than the rest of what’s out there.
geekaya
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:17 am
The Olympic Games are for the amatuers, leave the pros out of it.
Chopper
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:05 pm
1912 called and they want their Olympics back. Which athletes competing in the Olympics in 2016 do you think are amateurs?
alexdub
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:02 am
The olympics don’t matter, but I think Rory’s comments on the game of golf do. I think it’s ironic that Rory has so substantially benefited from his forbearers efforts in growing the game (parents, coaches, club pros, etc.), but ignores that sacrifice by not paying it forward. Seriously, who cares about the Olympics. I don’t blame him for not going. But not caring about growing the game of golf? Self-interest will be the fall of us all.
Brian
Jul 12, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Ignorant comment. The guy does clinics for kids all the time. What do you think grows the game more?
EagleM.
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:00 am
I appreciate your honesty, Rory. But, you are one of the biggest benefactors of the Golf industry. So, aif the industry grows, you can grow even bigger. Or, if the industry shrinks, your income will have a tendency to shrink as well. Anyway, Rory, you are also one of the biggest contributors to the industry. You bring audience to games and new people to the industry. So, I will give you a freebie on this one. 😉
Ranchobob
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:07 pm
I think you mean beneficiaries, not benefactors.
But I’m with him. Don’t care about golf in the Olympics and won’t be watching. Gymnastics, swimming, maybe track and field, but that’s all.
EagleM.
Jul 12, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Looks like it autocorrected my wrong spelling for beneficiaries became benefactors instead.. lol
Jon
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:58 am
Congrats to Rory for having the balls to say how he feels and couldn’t agree more with. Why is it on him to grow the game and what is in it for him? I am a tax accountant and is it my job to lower the national debt? Like him, I probably won’t be tuning into the golf coverage for the Olympics and will opt for track & field and maybe some gymnastics. I have always been of the mind that the Olympics should be more geared towards the amateurs and as such I have not watched a basketball game since the original Dream Team.
Chopper
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Actually it is kind of your job to raise the national debt, no?
Bobomatic
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:58 am
You have to admit, he’s right. Olympic golf doesn’t really matter and will be a distant memory. Being a huge golf fan, I could care less what happens in Rio. Maybe some do, but in the end, it’s a small footnote in history. If you don’t have the best competing, whats the point?
Wonderkid
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:52 am
Wow really?
This is going to hurt him from being a superstar.
I got into golf after watching ripple commercial with Tiger and Rory, and was inspired by Rory just as Tiger inspired Rory. Professional sports is about drama and inspiration rather than a bag full of mercenaries.
Tom
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:48 am
awwwww boy, here we go….