Rory McIlroy heaped praise on the Olympics against a backdrop of golf being a “**** show” as he missed out on a medal while representing Ireland in Paris.
Rory McIlroy views the Olympics and the Ryder Cup as the ultimate displays of competition in golf, contrasting them with the current turmoil brought about by LIV Golf.
Golf has been divided by the Saudi breakaway league since 2022 – and the third-ranked player globally is currently involved in discussions to reach a long-term peace agreement. The Irish golfer, who fell short in his attempt to win his first medal, opted not to participate in Rio when golf was reintroduced to the Olympics in 2016.
He previously referred to the Ryder Cup as “an exhibition event” in 2009 before making his debut. However, the golfer with four Major titles has now embraced both tournaments where top players compete for honor representing their nation or region rather than monetary rewards.
Following his tied fifth-place finish amidst the lively crowds at Le Golf National, McIlroy expressed, “What an incredible experience! This is likely one of the finest individual competitions I’ve ever participated in.
“We were chatting about it out there, and Nico (Hojgaard) believes it’s the best tournament he’s ever taken part in, and he’s played in a Ryder Cup.”
I truly believe that the Ryder Cup stands out as the premier tournament in our sport, showcasing pure competition. I see a lot of potential for this event to reach that same level of excellence.
Considering the current chaos in the world of golf, it’s interesting to reflect on the two tournaments that represent the essence of competition in our game, especially since we don’t play for money in them.
Observing Victor Perez approach the 18th hole from the 16th tee, accompanied by the enthusiastic cheers of the French spectators, was a unique experience. Such a display of support is rarely encountered in other tournaments, with the possible exception of The Ryder Cup.
“I found the atmosphere and environment to be truly remarkable, and I believe that all participants in the event thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
After completing his third round, the Ulsterman reflected on how his perspective of the Olympics shifted in 2021, even without any spectators in Japan. “I approached Tokyo with a certain mindset, but I came away with a completely different one, which has happened to me many times throughout my career because I tend to be a bit ignorant and naïve, not really thinking things through,” he shared. “However, once you go through experiences, you begin to understand what all the excitement is about.”
McIlroy began the final day four strokes behind the leader but ignited his game on the back nine, scoring five straight birdies. Unfortunately, disaster struck at the 15th hole when his wedge shot from 140 yards landed in the water, resulting in a double bogey. Prior to that, he had played 33 holes without a single dropped shot.
He expressed, “I found myself one stroke behind and I was thinking, ‘Wow, what just happened?’ Even with that wedge shot on the 15th hole, I executed the shot I intended, but unfortunately, I didn’t get enough height for the wind to carry it the additional three or four yards I needed.
I aimed to be aggressive and place the wedge between the front edge and the hole. However, I missed my target by about three or four yards, ultimately costing me a medal. Nevertheless, at that moment, I had my eyes set on the gold medal. Holding a wedge on the 15th hole, if I had birdied that hole and reached 18-under, tying for the lead, then yes, absolutely. At that point, any medal was within reach.”
Scottie Scheffler claimed the top spot with a final round of 62, leaving Tommy Fleetwood from Great Britain in second place with a 66, and Hideki Matsuyama from Japan in third with a 65.
Rory McIlroy, who ended up four shots behind Scheffler with a total of 15-under par after shooting 66s over the weekend, will soon reach a decade without winning a Major.
The US Open runner-up expressed, “For the past three years, I have felt like golf’s Nearly Man. It is my desire to shift from this status and return to winning golf tournaments. While it is encouraging to acknowledge that I am consistently close, the real challenge lies in crossing the threshold and transforming these near misses into victories. That is my primary objective.”
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