Rory McIlroy sends warning to golf bosses at Olympics and says something must change

Rory McIlroy has expressed concerns about the crowded golf calendar, particularly with the 2028 LA Olympics starting during Wimbledon and just before the Open Championship. McIlroy emphasized that “something needs to give” due to the relentless schedule, as the LA Olympics are set to begin on Friday, July 14, coinciding with Wimbledon’s final and preceding the Open at Royal Troon, which starts on July 18.

Golf, which returned to the Olympics in 2016, has proven popular, with large crowds attending the first two rounds at Le Golf National. However, McIlroy anticipates more scheduling challenges in 2028, questioning whether the Open could be moved after the Olympics. He noted the difficulty of rescheduling such significant events, stating, “There’s so many golf tournaments and not enough weeks in the calendar.”

Ongoing talks between the PGA and DP World Tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which owns LIV Golf, aim to address these scheduling conflicts. Currently, the Olympic golf events feature 60 players in a 72-hole stroke play format, with discussions about adding a mixed team event, further complicating the schedule.

McIlroy, who skipped the Rio 2016 Olympics and missed a bronze medal in a seven-man playoff in Tokyo, is now representing Ireland in France. He praised the enthusiastic French crowd and noted the significance of golf’s presence in the Games, highlighting the successful Ryder Cup held in France and the challenges of the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19.

Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain shared the halfway lead with Hideki Matsuyama and defending champion Xander Schauffele, while McIlroy started the third round six shots behind. Reflecting on the wet conditions in Paris, McIlroy mentioned that he had expected warmer, drier weather, which would have made the course firmer and the rough less lush. Despite the conditions, he noted that positioning off the tee still provided plenty of chances.

McIlroy concluded that, while he used to prefer softer conditions, he has grown to enjoy firmer, drier courses. He expressed hope that the weather would dry up, giving Sunday’s final round more bite.