Rory McIlroy twists knife in Olympic golf

• Rory McIlroy twists knife into Peter Dawson & co
• Says he won’t be watching Olympic Golf in Rio
• Says he’ll be tuning into ‘the events that matter’

Rory McIlroy twisted the knife into Olympic golf and the IGF by saying he’d only be watching ‘the events that matter’ on TV in Rio.

For the four-time major winner, that did not include golf – which returns to the Olympics after a 112-year absence this summer – in a comment which will no doubt anger and disappoint International Golf Federation president Peter Dawson.

“I’m sure I’ll be watching the Olympics but I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I’ll watch,” said Rory McIlroy.

When asked what he would watch, the 26-year-old replied: “Track and field, swimming, diving… the stuff that matters.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

An hour earlier, Jordan Spieth described his decision to opt out of the Olympics on ‘general health concerns’ as the ‘hardest decision of my life’. For McIlroy, however, he had no regrets about pulling out, with his comments pouring doubt on whether the Zika virus was really the reason why he opted not to go.

“Honestly, I don’t think it was as difficult a decision for me as it was for him ,” said Rory McIlroy. “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.”

Rory McIlroy :: Olympic comments

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