Golf: I resent the Olympic ill-feelings, says Rory McIlroy

McIlroy, born in Northern Ireland, opted to represent Ireland rather than Great Britain before taking the decision not to take part. Photo / Photosport

Rory McIlroy has revealed how he resents the Olympics because of the way he was left feeling when he pulled out of representing Ireland in Rio.

The world No2 was one of a host of the sport's biggest names not to compete at the first Olympic golf event since 1904, with Team GB's Justin Rose winning gold.

McIlroy, born in Northern Ireland, opted to represent Ireland rather than Great Britain before taking the decision not to take part.

Now the 27-year-old says he has plenty of ill-feeling towards the Olympics as a result.

"I started to resent it," he told the Irish Independent on Sunday.

"And I do. I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in - that's my feeling towards it - and whether that's right or wrong, it's how I feel.

"When it was announced in 2009 or whatever, all of a sudden it put me in a position where I had to question who I am. Who am I? Where am I from? Where do my loyalties lie? Who am I going to play for? Who do I not want to p*** off the most?"

With four majors, McIlroy now resides in Florida, where he plays a lot of golf with former world No1 Tiger Woods.

Woods, arguably golf's most famous face, has 14 major wins, but McIlroy insists he would not trade his own level of anonymity in the US for the American's trophy haul.

"I've seen what his life is like in Florida. I've played golf with him and said: 'What are you doing tonight? Do you want to come and have dinner with us?' And he can't.

" I could not live like that. If someone was to say, 'You can have 14 majors and 70 wins but have to deal with that, or nine majors and 40 wins and stay somewhat the same as you are', I'd take the second option all day."

- AAP