McIlroy denies making Olympic decision

World No.1 Rory McIlroy has published an open letter in response to some reports in the media today that he has decided to represent Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics if selected to participate in the re-instated golf tournament.

After a 112-year hiatus, golf will make its return to the Games in time for the next instalment of the quadrennial showpiece in Rio in four years time.

Hailing from Northern Ireland, McIlroy – like his compatriot Graeme McDowell – is eligible to represent both Team GB and Ireland and, since the announcement of golf’s re-inclusion in the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee in 2009, there has been fervent speculation over which of the two Rory would opt to play for.

This conjecture has only intensified over the past 15 months, with the curly-haired 23-year-old winning two majors and reaching the top of the world rankings.

Yesterday, he won his third PGA Tour title in his last four starts – including his last two back-to-back – but, rather than concentrate on this success, various reports surfaced today suggesting that McIlroy’s Olympic decision had been made.

However, he took the time to set the record straight via the following open letter:

“Having just won three out of my last four tournaments, including a second major championship, I was hoping my success on the golf course would be the more popular topic of golfing conversation today! However, the issue of my cultural identity has re-emerged, and with it, the matter of my national allegiance ahead of the Rio Olympics in 2016.

“I am in an extremely sensitive and difficult position and I conveyed as much in a recent newspaper interview. I am a proud product of Irish golf and the Golfing Union of Ireland and am hugely honoured to have come from very rich Irish sporting roots, winning Irish Boys, Youths and Amateur titles and playing for Ireland at all levels. I am also a proud Ulsterman who grew up in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. That is my background and always will be.

“I receive huge support from both Irish and British sports fans alike and it is greatly appreciated. Likewise, I feel like I have a great affinity with American sports fans. I play most of my golf in the US nowadays and I am incredibly proud to have won both the US Open and the US PGA Championship. As an international sportsman, I am very lucky to be supported by people all over the world, many of whom treat me as one of their own, no matter what their nationality, or indeed mine. This is the way sport should be.

“Since turning professional at 18 I have travelled the world playing the game I love and I consider myself a global player. As the world No. 1 right now, I wish to be a positive role model and sportsperson that people respect, and enjoy watching. I feel very fortunate to be in a position to play the sport that I love professionally and to have enjoyed the success that has come my way.

“I wish to clarify that I have absolutely not made a decision regarding my participation in the next Olympics. On a personal level, playing in the Olympics would be a huge honour. However, the Games in Rio are still four years away and I certainly won’t be making any decisions with regards to participating any time soon.

“The Olympics will be great for the growth of golf on a global scale, but my focus right now is on being the best player I can be, trying to win major championships and contributing to what will hopefully be a victorious European side at the Ryder Cup at the forthcoming matches against the USA.

“Lastly, I would like to thank everybody for the amazing support that I receive around the world every time I play. It is hugely appreciated.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT McILROY’S OPEN LETTER AND THE ISSUE OF HIS NATIONAL IDENTITY? HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR ‘COMMENTS’ SECTION BELOW.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered