Four-time major victor Rory McIlroy may not watch the golf event on television when it returns to the Olympics next month and hinted on Tuesday it was not one of the sports that would matter in Rio de Janiero.
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Rory McIlroy says he has no regrets over his decision to withdraw from the Olympic Games and believes the game could have been better served sending amateurs to Rio.
The four-time major victor added: “I’ve thought about Olympics and golf for the last seven years and this is just how I feel”. “I didn’t get into golf to try to grow the game”.
“I’m a huge believer in Olympic golf and representing my country, but this came down to a very personal decision”, the American said.
Justin Rose put forward the theory that the top players had already postponed plans to have a family to concentrate on their careers, but the main reason appears to be that the top female professionals view the Olympics as a great opportunity to showcase the women’s game and promote it around the world.
One former golfer isn’t letting Rory McIlroy off the hook for bashing Olympic golf.
McIlroy adds he will probably watch events “like track and field, swimming, diving. the stuff that matters”. “You’re just going to be jealous when I get that gold, ‘” Spieth said.
“I texted Rickie (Fowler) immediately after I decided and said, ‘Rick, I’m sorry, buddy, but I’m not going to be joining you down there this year”.
Jordan Spieth said on Tuesday that he agonized over his decision to sit out the Games. “There are drugs that can make you stronger and make you concentrate more, but none that can make you a better all-round golfer, as far as I am aware”. I get that, but at the same time that’s not the reason that I got into golf.
“I feel I’ve done my bit to grow the game”, added the world number four.
“Listen, this was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life at 22 years old. So I will be going back there, I just don’t think it’s appropriate this year”.
The return of golf to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 has proved highly controversial, with a number of elite players – including the top four in the world rankings – withdrawing.
She will be joined by Kim Sei-young, Amy Yang and their lowest ranked player, Chun In-gee, who is eighth in the current rankings.
“I hope I can have a chance at that course again but I hope I have the Claret Jug in my possession before that time”.
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“But at the same time, no one can stand there and categorically tell you you’re going to be okay, and that’s the problem”.
