PARIS: Rory McIlroy is hoping to ease some of his recent major struggles by claiming “probably” his biggest title in 10 years at the Paris Olympics this week.
The Northern Irishman fell agonizingly short of winning his first major title since 2014 at this year’s US Open, missing two short putts on the final three holes to lose by one shot to Bryson DeChambeau.
The world number three then missed the cut at the British Open in Troon.
McIlroy decided not to play when golf returned to the Olympics after a 112-year absence at the 2016 Rio Games, saying he would not even watch the competition.
But he has since changed his tune and narrowly missed out on a medal three years ago in Tokyo when he was part of a seven-man play-off for bronze won by Pan Cheng-tsung of Chinese Taipei.
McIlroy has won 17 PGA Tour titles since the last of his four major triumphs, including three Tour Championships and the Players Championship, but says Olympic gold would at least rank alongside those achievements.
“It would be an achievement, certainly of the year, if not – I think it’s well documented for me that I haven’t won one of the big four in 10 years,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“It would probably be one of, if not the biggest of my career in the last 10 years…
“I’d say my focus is pretty high. The last time you saw me, I didn’t give a very good account of myself at Troon. I want to make sure I’m exactly where I need to be hitting.” Thursday.”
McIlroy will have plenty of competition when the first round kicks off on Thursday at Le Golf National, the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup that Europe won outright.
World number one Scottie Scheffler will be making his Olympic debut, while reigning champion Xander Schauffele will also be among the favorites following his 2024 PGA Championship and British Open titles.
Paris will see comfortably the strongest field for a men’s Olympic golf event, with eight of the world’s top 10 competing.
“(In) the Olympics, you want the best players to be able to participate,” said two-time Spanish major champion Jon Rahm. “In every tournament you want the best players to represent their country.”
Organizers are reportedly considering adding a mixed team event to the golf schedule for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The decision to include only 72-hole singles tournaments – the same format most major tours use week after week – was controversial when golf was first reintroduced to the program.
“I think some people were surprised that it was just single-shot play and they didn’t try to mix it up with different formats,” McIlroy said.
“If it was in LA where there was a mixed tag team event, or even another tag team event that wasn’t mixed and Shane (Lowry) and I could play in it if we qualified, yes I would be happy.
“I think that would be a great format to bring to this competition. McIlroy will begin his quest for gold alongside Scheffler and Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg on Thursday, while Schauffele partners Rahm and Nor Viktor Hovland in the other marquee.
