“You don’t get this atmosphere at the Masters” – Rory McIlroy makes big U-turn on his Olympics golf stance
Golf Previews – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 6 – Source: Getty
Rory McIlroy at 2024 Paris Olympics (Image via Getty)
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Rory McIlroy is having a great weekend at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Northern Irishman sat T-6 at the end of Round 3 after shooting a 66 on Saturday (August 3). Following the round, the golfer came out to laud the ‘atmosphere’ at Le Golf National.
McIlroy received a hero’s welcome at the golf course on Saturday. Large crowds gathered to watch the 35-year-old take the first tee. Addressing the same, the golfer said it had “a big-time event” feel. Responding to Australia’s Jason Day comparing the ongoing Olympics to Major championships, McIlroy said that the players “don’t get this atmosphere at the Masters.”
The Irishman, who’d earlier downplayed the value of Olympic golf in 2016, seemingly ate his comments to state that the event was “a little more fun than a major.” He noted that the crowd is ‘more enthusiastic’ in Paris.
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Responding to a media query about Jason Day’s comments on the Olympics and majors, Rory McIlroy said in his post-round presser on Saturday, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“It’s hard. You don’t get this atmosphere at the Masters. It’s different. I think it’s a little more fun than a major. Sort of like a celebration in a way… But yeah, it has the feel of a big-time event for sure. Maybe the crowd is a little more enthusiastic.”
Rory McIlroy downplayed the Olympics golf
Rory McIlroy didn’t partake in the 2016 Rio Olympics, citing the Zika Virus scare in Brazil at the time. The Irishman was among several top players who pulled out of the competition despite it being golf’s big comeback to the Olympics in a century. The four-time Major champion faced some criticism for the move.
McIlroy had then noted that he didn’t feel like he let down the game by pulling out of the Olympics. The PGA Tour star stated that he “didn’t get into golf to try and grow the game” but to win Major championships. He implied that the Olympic gold medal wasn’t as valued as other big events’ prizes.
Rory McIlroy said in 2016, as quoted by Golf Digest:
“I think I’ll be remembered for my Major championships. So, all I’ve dreamed of from a little kid is winning Majors… I never dreamed of competing in the Olympics or winning an Olympic medal. So, in my mind, a Major will always be more important.”
Interestingly, so much has changed since then. Eight years later, McIlroy noted that he traveled to Paris in hope of winning the Olympics gold. The ace golfer admitted that he has spent a decade without a Major championship win and admitted that a medal this weekend would “probably be one of, if not the biggest” in his career for the last 10 years.
Edited by Vishnu Mohan
