Despite missing out on a medal and not participating in the Rio Olympics when golf made its return in 2016, the Irish golfer has had a change of heart regarding both the Olympics and the Ryder Cup events where players compete for national or continental pride rather than monetary gain.
Following his tied fifth finish amid the lively atmosphere at Le Golf National, McIlroy reflected: "Amazing experience. Probably one of the best individual competitions I've been a part of."
He shared insights from the course, saying, "We were talking about it out there and Nico (Hojgaard) reckons it's the best tournament he's ever been involved in, and he's played a Ryder Cup."
McIlroy, who once referred to the Ryder Cup as "an exhibition event" before playing in it, now firmly believes in its value, stating, "I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, pure competition, and I think this has the potential to be right up there with it."
He concluded with a critical view of the current state of golf, asserting, "I think with how much of a **** show the game of golf is right now and you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don't play for money in it."
"Even standing on the 16th tee and watching 18 and seeing Victor Perez come up 18 and how he was serenaded by the French crowds. We don't get that any other place that we play, maybe apart from The Ryder Cup."
"So yeah, I just thought it was an incredible atmosphere and environment to play in, and I think everyone in the field had a blast."
After his third round, the Ulsterman confessed that his perspective of the Olympics changed in 2021, despite the absence of crowds in Japan. "I think I was in a certain mindset going into Tokyo and I left with a different mindset, just like I've done a lot of times in my career because I'm ignorant and naive and don't give things much thought," he said.
"But once you experience things, you start to see what the hype is about."
McIlroy began the final day four shots behind the leader but ignited on the back nine with five consecutive birdies before disaster struck at the 15th hole when his wedge from 140 yards found the water for a double bogey. He had gone 33 holes without dropping a shot.
"I was one behind and I was like: 'Holy ****, what just happened? '' he said. "Even that wedge shot on 15, I hit the shot I wanted to hit but I didn't get the ball in the air enough for the wind to carry it the extra three or four yards I needed to. "
McIlroy , reflecting on his recent performance, shared his frustration: "Tried to stay aggressive and land a wedge between the front edge and the hole. Missed my spot by nearly three or four yards and that ended up costing me a medal. But at that moment, I had the golden medal in mind.
"I had a wedge in my hand on 15 and you birdie that and get to 18-under and tied for the lead, yeah, absolutely. Any medal is possible at that point.
"Despite his efforts, McIlroy fell short, with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler clinching victory after a remarkable closing 62. Great Britain's very own Tommy Fleetwood took home silver with an impressive 66, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama earned the bronze following his 65.
McIlroy wrapped up the competition on 15-under par, propelled by consecutive weekend 66s, yet it has been almost ten years since his last Major win.
The US Open runner-up expressed a yearning to alter his destiny: "I feel like I've been golf's Nearly Man for the last three years," McIlroy confessed. "I obviously want that tide to turn and go from the Nearly Man to back to winning golf tournaments. It's all well and good saying I'm close and close and close.
"Once I actually step through the threshold and turn these near misses and close calls into wins, that's what I need to do."
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