adminchoice.
Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson hinted that because McIlroy played for Ireland at amateur level, the choice may be taken from him. The 23-year-old golf star grew up in Holywood, County Down, on the outskirts of east Belfast.
In a BBC documentary in January, McIlroy said he might opt out of the 2016 Olympic Games because he did not want to offend anyone.
“Play for one side or the other — or not play at all because I may upset too many people . . . Those are my three options I’m considering very carefully,” McIlroy said.
But Dawson believes there may be a way to make life easier for the World Number Two player and others like him.
“Because of Rory’s history of playing for Ireland at amateur level and World Cup level, there may be an Olympic regulation that because you played in a previous world championship for a certain country, that has to carry with you. Does the World Cup count as a world championship? Golf isn’t structured the way other sports are,” he said. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter