Rory McIlroy 'proud' to represent Ireland and targets Olympic Gold in golf

Rory McIlroy has expressed that winning a gold medal for Ireland at the Paris Olympics would rank as one of his greatest achievements . Reflecting on his past remarks during this week's Open Championship at Troon, McIlroy recalled the controversial statements he made eight years prior at the same event.

Back then, the Holywood star indicated he'd watch the Rio Games but had no interest in following the golf event , which was making its Olympic return after more than 100 years. "I'm very happy with the decision I've made, I have no regrets," McIlroy declared post-round at Troon in 2016.

"I'll probably watch the Olympics, but I'm not sure golf will be one of the events I'll watch." Later in the week, he elaborated: "I've thought about Olympics and golf for the last seven years and this is just how I feel."

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He acknowledged that his frankness might not sit well with everyone, saying, "Some people don't like it, I get that. But it's my opinion. I don't think anyone can blame me for being too honest. It was seven years of trying to give the politically correct answer and finally I just cracked," reports the Irish Mirror .

At the time, McIlroy was conflicted over whether to represent Ireland or Great Britain. Like Shane Lowry, however, he withdrew from the Rio Games, citing concerns about the Zika virus. Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power flew the flag for Ireland in Brazil instead.

McIlroy, who had previously changed his mind and participated in the Tokyo Games three years ago alongside Lowry, missed out on the bronze medal in a seven-man play-off. Speaking to the Guardian this week, he said: "I had a sense of resentment towards the Olympics because I had always tried to stay so neutral and it presented me with this option of, what are you going to do? " He added: "I had to get over that. All of my amateur career I played for Ireland. I was very proud to play for Ireland. So why would I do anything differently as a professional.

"Tokyo felt like a throwback to the amateur days. All the federations were there. Seeing people from the amateur game who I hadn't seen for decades. "I really enjoyed the experience and I'm sure Paris will be even better because I'll get to go to some of the other events. It's a bit like the Ryder Cup, I made comments before I had experienced it. I am excited to go back."

The 35-year-old, who came close to ending his major drought in Pinehurst in the US Open a month ago, is relishing the opportunity to go for gold at Le Golf National in Versailles in just over a fortnight's time. "It would be incredibly special for me as an individual to have a gold medal," McIlroy said. "In the wider context of how people would see me and what it would do for my legacy or career? I don't know.

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"I would be unbelievably proud to get any medal in Paris. A gold medal would be one of the proudest moments of my career. I did say this to my team a couple of days after (the US Open), I have always said I don't deserve anything from golf but after St Andrews, LA Country Club, Pinehurst I am finally getting to the point where I feel like I deserve something.

"That doesn't mean to say I'll get it. I always felt if you say you deserve something, it reeks of entitlement. Nobody is entitled to anything in this game or life in general. You have to earn everything. But I feel like I am in a great position to go and earn it."

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