Why Rory McIlroy represents Ireland over Team GB despite admitting he's 'always felt more British than Irish'

Rory McIlroy has revealed why he opted to play for Team Ireland at the Olympics instead of Team GB, despite saying he has "always felt more British than Irish" and that he feels "more of a connection with the U.K. than with Ireland".

McIlroy is set to tee off for Ireland on Thursday morning, and he's one of the country's better chances at a medal alongside Shane Lowry. But he as admitted he felt resentment over having to choose between playing in GB and Ireland teams .

McIlory told the Daily Mail: "The fact is, I've always felt more British than Irish. Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don't know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the U.K. than with Ireland."

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However, the Northern Irish sportsman admitted he was torn, because he had previously always played for Ireland. He said: "I have to weigh that up against the fact that I've always played for Ireland and so it is tough."

But, McIlroy explained why he chose to represent Ireland rather than Great Britain in the 2021 Olympics and why he has done so again this year , and it seems he was keen to keep playing for the same nation he had during his career, despite his affinity for the UK.

Speaking on his decisions later, he said: "I made it more difficult for myself than I needed to.

"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."

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He continued: "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."

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This comes despite McIlroy facing quite a bit of backlash for once saying that he felt more British than Irish - a sentiment he seemingly regrets opening up on .

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