Rory McIlroy admits resentment over having to choose Team Ireland over Team GB for the Olympics

Rory McIlroy has opened up about his decision to play for Ireland, rather than Great Britain, during the 2021 Olympics. He has admitted to feeling "resentment" over the decision .

The Northern Irish golfer, who teamed up with Shane Lowry in Tokyo and came tantalisingly close to a medal after a big play-off, revealed his feelings to the Guardian.

McIlroy who's just patched things up with his wife following filing for divorce , explained the choice to represent Ireland over Great Britain , a nation he could technically affiliate with due to his Northern Ireland roots.

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During his heart-to-heart with the Guardian, McIlroy confessed: "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?"

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He continued, reflecting on his past decisions: "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."

Recently nearly snagging a major victory at the US Open in Pinehurst, the 35-year-old links legend is now gearing up for a shot at gold at Le Golf National in Versailles.

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Speaking about the upcoming event, McIlroy said: "It would be incredibly special for me as an individual to have a gold medal," while contemplating what such an achievement would mean for him personally and professionally: "In the wider context of how people would see me and what it would do for my legacy or career? I don't know."

"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."