Tour News

McIlroy will play for Ireland in the 2016 Olympics

Published

12 years ago

Jun 18, 2014

On the eve of the Irish Open, here’s a Rory McIlroy story not related to the golfer’s clubs getting lost by an airline: Clad appropriately in a green shirt a pre-tournament press conference, the Ulsterman stated he’ll play for Ireland at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The announcement ends more than a year of speculation as to whether the 25-year-old will play for Great Britain, Ireland, or no one (choosing to opt out of the politicized situation and not pick a side). Northern Ireland, of course, is part of Great Britain in Olympic competitions.

Even a casual observer of world news is a aware of the history of conflict and geopolitical tensions between Northern Ireland and Ireland. So the difficulty of McIlroy’s decision, and the reality that he’d upset a percentage of the population in at least one country, caused him to proceed with caution.

A determining factor in McIlroy’s choice: the fact that he played amateur golf for Ireland.

“I have been thinking about the decision a lot and remembered all the times I represented Ireland as an amateur,” McIlroy said.

If the fact that soccer fan McIlroy’s announcement is coming during the World Cup (also in Brazil) seems coincidental, here’s why:

“There is no point in delaying it,” he said. “I was watching some of the World Cup and thinking about Brazil in a couple of years time. It really got me thinking that maybe I should just go ahead and get it out of the way. I am really looking forward now to the Olympics in a couple of years time.”

Golf returns to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since 1904.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

15 Comments

JB

Jun 18, 2014 at 1:13 pm

AJ: To say “he’s not Irish” is a sweeping generalization–tell Darren Clarke or GMac that he’s not at all Irish and see the reaction you’ll get. Nobody disputes your factual description of the Troubles, but your tone with the first blogger was a bit condescending.

More importantly, Rory has again handled a difficult personal conundrum with class. The game is in good hands. Good for him for handling the situation early.

Reply Report comment
- JOEL GOODMAN
  
  Jun 18, 2014 at 2:48 pm
  
  HE HAS PROVEN TO BE A CLASSLESS PUNK BOTH ON AND OFF THE COURSE. WALKING OFF THE HONDA CLASSIC BECAUSE OF A “TOOTHACHE” AND DUMPING HIS GAL AFTER THE WEDDING INVITATIONS ARE MAILED.I AM DELIGHTED HE WILL NOT BE REPRESENTING THE USA. SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE THIS BRAT UNDER THEIR WING AND TELL HIM HOW MEN ACT. MAYBE SOME DAY HE’LL GROW UP, BUT NOW HE’S JUST A PUNK KID. WITH A TON OF MONEY.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Hugh Myron
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 3:53 pm
    
    You sound so mad right now. Do you even golf?
    
    Reply Report comment
  - JK
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 4:15 pm
    
    I thinK rory banged his GF
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Brandon Hughes
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 5:29 pm
    
    Did you even read the article? Where did you get that he would play for the USA? He isn’t an american. He is from Northern Ireland. He had a choice to play for Great Britain or Ireland. He did nothing wrong by dumping his girl prior to the wedding. That is better than getting married and getting a divorce after a couple years because he was never happy. And she had pink hair at The Masters. No wonder why he kicked her to the curb
    
    Reply Report comment
  - earmuffs
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 11:32 pm
    
    Stop yelling please
    
    Reply Report comment
  - ND Hickman
    
    Jun 19, 2014 at 7:53 am
    
    … Why would he be representing the USA? Interesting logic.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - cally
    
    Jun 19, 2014 at 8:49 am
    
    Haha…funny shame
    
    Reply Report comment
TJ

Jun 18, 2014 at 10:35 am

An Irish kid playing for Ireland who would have thunk it. I am not Irish so I guess I don’t really understand the conflict entirely but for me it makes sense as he played for them as an amateur. Good luck it will be cool to see what sort of format they will play. unless this has already been explained if so please feel free to inform me.

Reply Report comment
- AJ
  
  Jun 18, 2014 at 11:33 am
  
  TJ – the point is he’s not Irish. That’s why people are writing about it. They are two separate countries who until very recently were still killing each other with car bombs.
  
  Is that so hard to understand?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - JK
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 1:21 pm
    
    If he’s not Irish than why can he choose? It’s not like I can choose to play for Germany if I was good enough.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - MHendon
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 5:33 pm
    
    Actually he is Irish, Northern Irish. I just so happened to have played with a guy the other day from Ireland and he explained it all to me. There are six counties in Ireland that don’t really fall under English or Irish rule. On any given day the people from that area can claim to be Irish or English. Lets face it Mcilroy is clearly an Irish name and he identifies himself as Irish so that’s who he should represent. And by the way they are still killing each other with car bombs, its just our U.S. media doesn’t care anymore. Or as the way this fella I played with put it, they have a very good tourism board over there.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - patrick walsh
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 5:35 pm
    
    aj- obviously you don’t know what you are talking about, he is Irish. People from northern I reland still consider themselves Irish. Especially if they are Catholic, which Rory is. To me this is a no brainer for him.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Elizabeth
    
    Jun 18, 2014 at 6:44 pm
    
    Anyone born on the island of Ireland is Irish – be it north, south, east or west!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - ND Hickman
      
      Jun 19, 2014 at 7:56 am
      
      Except Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom whereas the Republic of Ireland is an independent nation.
      
      Reply Report comment

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