Rory McIlroy showed his true colours with latest LIV comment
Rory McIlroy, one of the most accomplished golfers of his generation, has had a notable change of heart regarding the Olympic Games, which he once deemed less important than winning a major championship. The 35-year-old, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and finished tied for fourth place while Xander Schauffele took home the…
Rory McIlroy, one of the most accomplished golfers of his generation, has had a notable change of heart regarding the Olympic Games, which he once deemed less important than winning a major championship. The 35-year-old, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and finished tied for fourth place while Xander Schauffele took home the gold, returned to Olympic competition this summer at Le Golf National in France. McIlroy, alongside his compatriot Shane Lowry, competed for Ireland in what turned out to be a memorable but challenging event.
In the past, McIlroy had made it clear that he considered major championships to be more significant than Olympic glory. Back in 2016, when the Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, McIlroy openly stated, “I never dreamed of competing in the Olympics or winning an Olympic medal. So in my mind, a major will always be more important.” This sentiment echoed the views of several top golfers who, at the time, viewed the majors as the ultimate achievement in the sport.
However, McIlroy’s outlook on the Olympics has evolved significantly, as evidenced by his recent comments during the Paris 2024 Games. Reflecting on his experience, McIlroy acknowledged that winning an Olympic medal for Ireland would have been the pinnacle of his year, and possibly one of the most significant achievements of his career over the past decade. “It would be the achievement, certainly of the year. 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,” McIlroy admitted.
McIlroy’s evolving view on the Olympics coincides with his sharp criticism of LIV Golf players who failed to qualify for the Paris Games. Several prominent golfers who joined the LIV Golf circuit were unable to represent their countries in the Olympics due to their decision to participate in the breakaway tour. Prior to his opening match at Le Golf National, McIlroy addressed this issue, stating, “If you want to qualify for the Olympics, you knew what you had to do. Just like if you wanted to qualify for the Ryder Cup, you knew what you had to do. They were very aware of the decision they made when they did.” He added, “I don’t think there’s any other way to do (Olympic qualifying) because it’s hard to compare the golf that they play to the golf that we play. That’s the reason they didn’t get world ranking points, right?”
Despite his criticisms, seven LIV Golf players did manage to qualify for the Paris Olympics, including notable figures like Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann. However, some high-profile names such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Sergio Garcia, failed to make the cut.
While McIlroy’s newfound appreciation for the Olympics was evident, he ultimately fell short of medaling in Paris. He finished tied for fifth place with Rahm, recording a score of -15. The tournament was won by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who posted a winning score of -19. Tommy Fleetwood of Team Great Britain secured the silver medal, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama claimed the bronze.
This year’s Olympics marks yet another chapter in McIlroy’s storied career, which has seen him struggle to recapture the magic that led to his four major titles. His last major victory came at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and he has since endured a ten-year drought without adding to his collection of major wins. Earlier this year, McIlroy came agonizingly close to winning the US Open, only to be outpaced by DeChambeau in the final stages after a series of missed opportunities.
Though his quest for a fifth major continues, McIlroy’s evolving view of the Olympics suggests that his legacy in golf is not solely defined by major victories, but also by the pride and honor of representing his country on one of the world’s biggest stages.