Rory McIlroy has formally announced that he will represent Ireland in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
The world number two revealed this in an interview with Golf Channel this week before the start of the Zozo Championship in Japan.
McIlroy did not participate in the Brazil Olympic games where Golf was played at the games for the first time since 1904. Justin Rose won the Gold medal for Great Britain, beating Ryder Cup teammate Henrik Stenson and American, Matt Kuchar at the Campo Olímpico de Golfe.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, missed the 2016 event because he struggled picking his allegiance and the political cogitations of it. He said: “I’ve had to deal with things in regard to the Olympics that others haven’t had to and that brings questions and difficulties.”
Four years on, a more motivated player, Rory will take his chance to compete for Gold, “But at the end of the day I thought I can’t let that stuff ruin my experience of going to the Olympics and playing.”
In the interview with Rex Hoggard Rory explains his thought process in coming to the decision, saying: “I’m going to play golf for the country or nation that I’ve always played golf for, through my junior days, my amateur days and not into my professional days.”
Now understanding the privilege of playing at the Olympics, the 30-year-old said: “I don’t have to worry about my spot there.” This is despite their only being two representatives from each country allowed to play in the 4-day event.
McIlroy will be one of 120 competitors in the 2020, all qualifying through world rankings and he looks forward to the event: “I’m excited to play the Olympics and call myself an Olympian.”
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