Current World No. 2 Rory McIlroy will be relieved of a ‘burden of choice’ and be allowed to represent Ireland if he qualifies for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
McIlroy has been torn between representing either Great Britain or Ireland since it was confirmed three years ago golf is returning to the summer Olympics and for a first time since 1904.
However Peter Dawson, CEO with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R & A), and who was instrumental is seeking the return of golf to the Olympics, says he’s determined the 23-year old Northern Irishman and double Major Champion will be clear to represent Ireland.
The Northern Ireland born pair of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell walk in behind the Ireland flag at the 2011 World Cup of Golf at Hainan Island in China. (Photo – Getty Images)
“Because of Rory’s history of playing for Ireland at amateur level and at World Cup level there maybe a regulation within the Olympic rules which would determine who would have to play,” said Dawson.
“We are still looking at the matter but under that regulation he could play under Irish colours.
“It’s quite ambiguous as there are regulations within the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that if you play previous world championships for a certain country that has to carry with you.
“So the question is the World Cup of Golf a world championship and so on. Golf isn’t structured in the same way as it with other sports.
“But I would very much like to take this burden of choice away from the player, if possible because it’s not fair.
“I think Rory has made it pretty clear, and what I have heard privately, he is worried about it and the last thing we want is a player worrying about it”.
And McIlroy felt under so much pressure that he even considered not contesting the Olympics.
“I just think being from where we’re from, we’re placed in a very difficult position,” he said earlier this year. “I feel Northern Irish and obviously being from Northern Ireland you have a connection to Ireland and a connection to the U.K.”
And McIlroy had also stirred controversy last year when he said in a British newspaper interview that he felt “more British than Irish.” He then posted a clarification on Twitter saying he grew up “a proud product of Irish golf” and had not made a decision on the Olympics.
There is precedence in the pro ranks for McIlroy, as he teamed twice with close friend and fellow Northern Irishman, Graeme McDowell in 2009 and then in the 2011 World Cup of Golf at Hainan Island in China, and with both representing Ireland.
