“I'll be remembered for my major championships” – When Rory McIlroy openly slammed the Olympics after pulling out of the event in 2016

Rory McIlroy is competing at the 2024 Olympics and is in a very good position to win a medal for Ireland. However, a few years ago, he had pulled out of the event because he used to think differently.

McIlroy, who is competing in his second Olympics, had pulled out of the 2016 Rio Olympics. This was the first time in over 100 years that golf was included in the Olympic Games. At that time, he felt it was not his job to grow the game and expressed no regrets for his decision.

During the 2016 Open Championship, Rory McIlroy was questioned about his decision to not compete at the Rio Olympics.

"I don’t feel like I’ve let the game down at all." he said as per Golf Digest. "I didn’t get into golf to try and grow the game. I got into golf to win major championships. I get that I have a responsibility to the game. But at the same time I got into golf to win. I didn’t get into golf to get other people into the game."

"I'm very happy with the decision I made. I have no regrets. I’ll probably watch the Olympics. But I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I watch," he added.

Eight years later, a mature Rory McIlroy, who hasn't won a major in a decade, has a different perspective on competing at the Olympics.

"It would be the achievement, certainly of the year, if not. I think for me, it's well documented that I haven't won one of the Big Four in ten years. It would probably be one if, if not the biggest in my career for the last ten years," he said ahead of the 2024 Olympics men's golf event.

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How has Rory McIlroy performed at the 2024 Olympics men's golf event so far?

Rory McIlroy carded 68 and 69 in the first two rounds to aggregate at 5-under at the Paris Olympics 2024 after 36 holes. He was tied for fifteen and was six strokes behind the lead.

McIlroy is making his second appearance at the Olympics. Last time, he had a deep finish of 4th at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and missed the bronze medal in the playoff hole.

Following the two rounds at the 2024 Olympics men's golf event, Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, and Tommy Fleetwood shared a joint three-stroke lead over Jon Rahm.