McIlroy makes Olympics U-turn and says he’ll play for Ireland in Tokyo next year
County Down superstar previously said he 'resented' the Games because it made him feel uncomfortable choosing between Britain and Ireland - but is now firmly backing the latter
RORY McILROY has made a sensational U-turn by deciding to play for Ireland in next year’s Olympics.
Belfast-born McIlroy previously announced he “resented" the Games because they put him in an uncomfortable position, over whether to represent Ireland or Great Britain.
He ducked the issue in Rio three years ago by saying he would not take part because of concerns over the Zika virus - but later admitted that was not the real reason.
After Justin Rose claimed the gold medal for GB, McIlroy commented: “I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in.
“All of a sudden I had to question who am I? Where am I from? Where do my loyalties lie? Who am I going to play for? Who do I not want to p**s off the most?
“If I had been on the podium listening to the Irish national anthem as that flag went up, or the British national anthem, I would have felt uncomfortable either way.'
"I don't know the words to either anthem; I don't feel a connection to either flag; I don't want it to be about flags; I've tried to stay away from that.”
But McIlroy, 30, has clearly got over those doubts.
'VERY PROUD'
He was brimming with passion as he pinned his colours to the Ireland mast for Tokyo next year ahead of the USPGA Championship.
He said: “As a young boy it was always my dream to play for Ireland.. I was very proud to put on that shirt or that blazer.
“It's the same as like the rugby players, right? There's players that play for Ulster, but they want to play for Ireland. It's seen as a whole island sport.
“There's a choice to be made, and you really have to start thinking, okay, well, what are your beliefs and your values. It makes you have to delve a little bit deeper.
“I've thought about that for a long time, and in the end, it was the fact that was so proud when I was a little boy and I got that first call up to the national squad.
“I'm excited to be going to the Olympics. I'm excited to play for Ireland.
"I'm excited that Neil Manchip, who was our national coach when I was an amateur, is going to lead the team. So it's going to be cool.”
Tiger Woods is also keen to make his Olympic debut next year, as time is running out – he will be 48 by the time the 2024 Games take place.
Woods said there are far more days when he feels older than his 43 years than when he feels younger. But he insist his Masters win last month was not a one-off, and he can still compete with the young guns.
He said: “I’ve never played in the Olympics, and that is definitely an exciting prospect, although it won’t be an easy team to qualify for.
"But I won’t have that many more opportunities going forward, so it’s something I’d like to take care of.
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“I know I have to regulate how often I play and how many hours I log up, and that’s why I didn’t play between these first two Majors of the year.
“Whether I’m dominant or not, like I was before my injuries start remains to be seen. But I’m not really looking at it like that.
"I just want to give myself the best chance to win the limited number f events I plan to play in – particularly the Majors.
“I feel refreshed and ready to go again, and we all know how loud the New York fans can get when they’re rooting for you – or against you! So I think this week is going to be boatful of fun.”