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Rory McIlroy, alongside Tiger Woods, is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has spent over 100 weeks in the number one position in OWGR and has a total of 36 professional wins.
Interestingly, McIlroy skipped the 2016 Rio Olympics and shocked the entire golf community. The reason why he skipped the biggest sporting event was the Zika Virus spread back then. This also made him the highest-profile athlete ever to withdraw from an Olympic event.
Rory Mcllroy initially wanted to take part in the 2016 Rio Olympics
When the IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that golf will be an event in the 2016 Rio games for the first time since 1904, McIlroy was one of the first golfers to be interested in participating.
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McIlroy, a Roman Catholic, is Irish but also carries a British passport. However, in 2012, he intended to participate in representing Britain. In 2013, he considered participating for either Britain or Ireland or not playing at all. However, in 2014, he decided to participate in representing Ireland if he qualifies.
But as the 2016 Rio Olympics came around the corner, Rory McIlroy joined the elite list of athletes withdrawing from the Rio Games due to growing concerns about the Zika virus.
American cyclist Tejay van Garderen, Australian golfer Marc Leishman, and Fijian golfer Vijay Singh were among the other athletes to withdraw from the prestigious sporting event.
Not just because he was a four-time major champion and former world No. 1 back then, but also because of his decision, Rory McIlroy represented a major setback for the Olympics. He was one of the few well-known golfers who appeared committed to competing in Rio.
McIlroy declared his decision to represent Ireland at the 2020 Olympic Games in May 2019. He participated in the event and finished fourth in the Men's Individual Stroke Play.
Rory McIlroy's life and career
In Hollywood, Northern Ireland, on May 4, 1989, Rory McIlroy was born to Rossie McDonald and Gerry McIlroy.
His father, who was an expert golfer and played with no handicap, taught him the game. He later became the club's youngest member when he joined Hollywood Golf Club at the age of seven.
The person who supported him the most was his father, Gerry, who worked many jobs to fund McIlroy's golf career. His mother put in extra hours to help her son enhance his golf game.
Rory McIlroy achieved extreme success early in life. When he was 15 years old, McIlroy won the Junior Ryder Cup against the United States and represented his nation in the 2004 European Boys' Team Championship.
When he turned 18 in 2008, he started his professional career and rapidly made a name for himself on the European Tour. In 2009, McIlroy won his first professional tournament, then in 2010, he won on the PGA Tour.
Later, McIlroy broke the record for the youngest player to achieve €10 million in career earnings from competitions on the European and PGA Tours. He has competed for Great Britain and Ireland in a number of international competitions.
