Rory McIlroy finds it “challenging to determine” if an Olympic gold medal in golf will ever hold the same honor as winning major tournaments in the sport.
The four-time major champion will compete for Team Ireland in his second Olympic Games, joining Shane Lowry.
The men’s four-day, 72-hole competition kicks off on Thursday, and the world number three shared with BBC Sport NI that “as time progresses and the Olympics play a larger role in our sport, it will become more significant.”
“It’s tough to predict [if the Olympics will become comparable to a major], as even this week, due to the qualification system, not all the top players in the world are present,” McIlroy observed about the participants in Paris.
“You would hope that winning something truly prestigious in the sport means all the best players are competing, which isn’t entirely the case here.
“It still carries significant weight, and should I win a medal, particularly a gold one, it would hold great meaning for me.”
McIlroy narrowly missed earning a medal in the Tokyo Games, held in 2021, where he finished fourth in the individual contest.
“I was exceptionally close to winning a medal last time; I mentioned that I’d never worked harder to clinch third place in my life. Once you’re in the mix and especially if you’re in contention for a medal, the excitement is palpable, and it’s incredibly thrilling,” said the four-time major champion from Northern Ireland.
McIlroy arrived in France after a disappointing outing at the Open Championship, where strong winds derailed his chances, resulting in a missed cut at Royal Troon.
He aims to bounce back by delivering a strong performance at Le Golf National, the venue that hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018.
“I’ve obviously had a bit more downtime than I would have liked due to not playing the weekend at The Open, but I’m thrilled to be here at a golf course where I have many cherished memories from the Ryder Cup a few years back.
“It’s great to return to playing in conditions that feel a bit more familiar. Troon was exceptionally challenging, but being out here in the sunshine with minimal wind is quite pleasant.”
