Rory McIlroy, who was representing Ireland in Paris and lost out on a medal, praised the Olympics and called golf a “**** show.”
Following LIV Golf’s “*** show” in golf, Rory McIlroy has declared that the Olympics and Ryder Cup stand out as the “purest form of competition in our sport.”
Since 2022, the Saudi breakaway league has divided golf, and the world’s third-ranked player is currently involved in talks aimed at reaching a long-term peace agreement. When golf returned to the Olympics in 2016, the Irishman did not compete in Rio. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to win a first medal.
Prior to making his debut in 2009, he also referred to the Ryder Cup as “an exhibition event.” However, the four-time Major winner has since converted to both competitions, where the elite players compete not for money but rather for pride in their nation or continent.
And following his tie for fifth place in front of raucous spectators at Le Golf National, McIlroy remarked, “Amazing experience.” Most likely the best individual competition I’ve ever participated in.
We were discussing it outside, and Nico (Hojgaard), who has participated in Ryder Cup competitions, believes it to be the greatest event he has ever attended.
“This tournament has the potential to be right up there with the Ryder Cup, which I still believe to be the best pure competition event in our game.
“I believe that given how much of a **** show golf is at the moment and the two events that may represent the most intense competition in our sport, we don’t play for money in it.
Even watching Victor Perez come up 18 and how he was serenaded by the French crowds while standing on the 16th tee. With the possible exception of the Ryder Cup, we don’t get that anywhere else we play.
“So yeah, I just thought that the field was a great place to play, and I think everyone had a great time.”
The Ulsterman acknowledged that, despite the lack of spectators in Japan in 2021, his perception of the Olympics had changed after his third round. “I think I went into Tokyo with one mindset and I came out with a different mindset, just like I’ve done a lot of times in my career because I’m naive and ignorant and don’t think things through very carefully,” he remarked. “But after you have a taste of something, you begin to understand the hype.”
After beginning the final round four shots behind the lead, McIlroy ignited his game on the back nine with five straight birdies. However, catastrophe struck at the fifteenth hole when his wedge from 140 yards found the water, resulting in a double bogey. He had not missed a shot in 33 holes.
He remarked, “I was one behind and I was like, ‘Holy****, what just happened?'” Even on the fifteenth wedge shot, I made the shot I wanted to make, but I didn’t get the ball airborne long enough for the wind to take it the final three or four yards.
“I attempted to maintain my aggressiveness and place a wedge between the hole and the front edge. I narrowly missed my spot by three or four yards, which ultimately cost me a medal. But my mind was on the golden medal right then. Yes, without a doubt. I had a wedge in my hand on hole 15, and you birdied it to get to 18-under and tie for the lead. It is then possible to win any medal.
Instead, with a closing 62, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious, while Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain had to settle for silver with a 66, and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan took bronze with a 65.
After weekend 66s, McIlroy finished four shots behind Scheffler on 15-under par. Next month, he will turn ten without a Major victory.
The US Open runner-up remarked, “I feel like I’ve been golf’s Nearly Man for the last three years.” It goes without saying that I want to see a change in the situation, from the Nearly Man to winning golf tournaments again. Saying “I’m close, close, close” is all well and good. I need to do that once I cross the finish line and convert these near-misses and close calls into victories.
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