"Pretty easy decision" - When Rory McIlroy gave his reason to play the Olympics for Ireland instead of Great Britain

In the 2020 Olympics, which took place in 2021 thanks to COVID-19, Rory McIlroy had the chance to play for either Great Britain or Ireland. Anyone from Northern Ireland, where McIlroy was born, is able to choose which country they want to represent. It can be a big decision to make, but it's one that McIlroy didn't hesitate with.

Before the Tokyo Games took place, he opted to play for Ireland. He had no desire to represent a country that he previously had not played for.

He said (via Mirror):

"As I said, previously, once I left trying not to upset anyone aside, then it was actually a pretty easy decision. The decision was I’m going to play golf for the country or the nation that I’ve always played for through my junior and amateur days and now into the professional game. And that’s Ireland."

He added (via NBC Sports):

“Even though the Olympics has given me this choice, there really wasn’t a choice because all I’ve done throughout my life is play golf for Ireland so why would that change just because the tournament has changed. That was my decision.”

McIlroy did not earn a medal for Ireland, though. The star golfer found himself in a seven-way playoff for the bronze medal, which C.T. Pan took home over McIlroy and the others.

Rory Sabbatini won the silver medal, while Xander Schauffele took home the gold medal. McIlroy will have the chance to win a medal for Ireland this summer as well in Paris.

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Rory McIlroy recalls coming up short on Olympic debut

Rory McIlroy was one of seven contenders for the bronze medal at the Olympics in Tokyo. He ultimately came up short, but it was not without furious effort. In fact, McIlroy once remarked on how funny it was to be working so hard to finish third place.

Rory McIlroy will try to medal in the 2024 Olympics in Paris (Getty)

Ordinarily, Rory McIlroy tries to win tournaments. Third place is a fine finish, but it's not the one anyone wants. In the Olympics, the perception changes a bit. He said (via NBC Sports):

“I have never tried to finish third so hard in my life. Once you get in that Olympic spirit, something happens inside of you and you get a sense of what it means to so many people. Just to say I am an Olympian is great but to win a medal would be incredibly special.”

This time, the star golfer faces stiff competition from reigning gold medalist Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Hideki Matsuyama, Tommy Fleetwood and many other talented golfers.