RORY MCILROY YESTERDAY insisted he still had a choice on who to represent at the new Olympic Games in Brazil.
Peter Dawson, chief of the Royal & Ancient, recently indicated that the Holywood man would be compelled to play under the tricolour in Rio in 2016.
This, he said, is because McIlroy has played for Ireland in previous tournaments like World Cups.
Speaking at a press conference last night ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina, McIlroy said: “I think ‑‑ I mean, I saw I think it’s Rule 41 in the IOC states that I still have a choice.
“It’s not like they can take it away from me. If you play for a country and then you either change nationality or whatever or if you don’t play for that certain country for three years, you still have a choice. I haven’t played for anyone, I guess, since 2011, end of 2011 World Cup. Obviously, going into the Olympics that will be five years, so I’ll still have a choice.”
Subsequent to Dawson’s comments last month, Olympic chiefs insisted that because McIlroy is from the North he has a decision to make. Asked if he saw that golf bosses were trying to take that choice out of his young hands and make his life easier, McIlroy said: “No, not really.
“I think the more it’s talked about, the more it’s just going to get blown up. So I’d rather not really talk about it until the time that I have to decide what to do.”
The double-major winner also said he won’t be playing in the world cup this year.
Out with the old, in with the new. Great chance for Conor. Pretty much guarantees him the Munster no 9 shirt too.
O gara shud be out half for his territorial kicking alone
Where’s Leo??
Savin’ him for the Aussies
Eh…Leo? You can’t seriously be insinuating that he should start ahead of the mighty duo from Munster?
well at the very least he’s head and shoulders above Ryan on the bench!
Ryan can play both lock and blindside flank, where as Leo is exclusively a lock. Not to prejudice Leo, his record peaks for itself, but Ryan is a rising talent and the utility element is hard to ignore for any coach.
I don’t know what a blindside flank is! I’ve just leapt onto the rugby bandwagon! Come on you boys in green come on you boys in green come on you boys come on you boys in green! What’s a scrum half?
Ryan can cover both back row and lock, that’s why he’s there.
dont worry about the yanks………italy will be after our scalp big time, they owe us one from the six nations!!!
I would expect that once the Italy game comes around both teams will be probably Won 2 lost 1 with progression hanging on the outcome of it. don’t expect it to be pretty!
I’ve heard several pundits/experts say that Ferris should play in 2nd row with O Connell against Aussies, with Jennings,Heaslip & O Brien in the back row. Think it would be a good move which would add extra dynamism to the pack.
This looks very much like the team with one or two possible exceptions (Healy for Court) and maybe some tinkering with the backrow that is going to be used for the 1st two games at least.