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Rory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to play for Ireland at the 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\nRory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to play for Ireland at the 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman had been scheduled to go to the 2016 Games in Rio but pulled out because of concerns over the Zika virus.<\/p>\n
In the build-up to the last Olympics, McIlroy, who was born in Holywood, Co Down, admitted having to make a choice over which nation to play for had left him somewhat resentful over the whole saga.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old was asked about his plans for Toyko 2020 as he prepared for this week\u2019s USPGA Championship at Bethpage in New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore likely than not I will play. I think it would be a great experience,\u201d McIlroy said at a press conference. \u201cRight now in my mind, I\u2019ll most likely play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked which nation he intended to represent, McIlroy, who played for Ireland as an amateur, replied: \u201cThe same one I said I would a few years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning to the subject later in the press conference, McIlroy gave a more detailed account of the reasoning behind his decision.<\/p>\n
With Neil Manchip, who used to coach McIlroy as an amateur, set to lead the Ireland team in Japan, the world number four admitted he would probably get \u201ca little bit nostalgic\u201d.<\/p>\n
McIlroy said: \u201cI think as a young boy it was always my dream to play for Ireland. I wanted to play for Ireland. I was very proud to put on that shirt or that blazer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the same as like the rugby players, right? There\u2019s players that play for Ulster, but they want to play for Ireland. It\u2019s seen as a whole-island sport, just like hockey is, just like most of the sports are.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo then obviously when you put the Olympics into the equation and then there\u2019s a choice to be made, you really have to start thinking: \u2018okay, well, what are your beliefs and your values?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes you sort of have to delve a little bit deeper. It\u2019s not just a superficial decision. It\u2019s something that you have to really believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n
McIlroy continued: \u201cI\u2019ve thought about that for a long time, and in the end, it was the fact that when I was a little boy and I got that first call up to the national squad to go on to Citywest and be a part of the youth system and making that team and playing in home internationals, I was so proud to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo why would it be any different just because it\u2019s a different golf tournament or because it\u2019s a different arena or a different environment? That was basically what it came down to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had an unbelievable amateur career, and I don\u2019t mean that in terms of results, but I mean that in the experiences I had and the trips that I had and the friendships that I made and the friendships that I still have to this day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was all because of playing for Ireland and getting close to some of those guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to be going to the Olympics. I\u2019m excited to play for Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
McIlroy hopes he can play himself into contention for another Major this week.<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman, twice a US PGA champion, will again be among the favorites as he looks to make an impact at Bethpage after seeing his Masters challenge falter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a pretty good record at the PGA, a couple of wins and decent finishes,\u201d said McIlroy, who hit a closing 73 in the Wells Fargo Championship which saw him drop out of contention for a victory at Quail Hollow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are playing at a golf course I like, and have experience on, if I play the way I can, hopefully, I will have a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n