McIlroy rues Rio Games decision

Rory McIlroy confessed that he had got it wrong about golf in the Olympics.

Rory McIlroy confessed that he had got it wrong about golf in the Olympics.

The man who pulled out of Rio citing the Zika virus and led an exodus of the world’s top four players admitted he had been ‘pleasantly surprised’ that the sport’s reintroduction after 112 years had proved an overwhelming success.

‘There seemed to be a better atmosphere at the golf than there was at the athletics and it was good to see,’ he said.

The Northern Irishman made headlines with the infamous remark at The Open last month that he wouldn’t be watching golf but concentrating instead on ‘diving, gymnastics and the Olympic sports that matter’. Yesterday he admitted to a remarkable change of heart.

‘We didn’t see much of the golf over the first couple of days because we were at my in-laws’ cabin in upstate New York where there was no TV or electricity, but we got back in time to catch up with the final round,’ he said. ‘Obviously it was well supported down there and it pleasantly surprised me.

‘I thought golf was going to get lost a little bit but to see the turnout, I was glad to be proven somewhat wrong. It was a great finish as well, the way Justin (Rose) went out and won the gold medal from Henrik (Stenson). Justin’s always been a big supporter of Olympic golf so I was excited for him.’

McIlroy plays this week in New York at the first of four FedEx Cup play-offs. – Daily Mail