Rory having ‘rethink’ on Olympics declaration

Rory McIlroy is reconsidering who to compete for in the 2016 Olympics after the reaction to the possibility of him declaring for Great Britain.

Golf’s world No 1 had said he was leaning towards representing Team GB because “I have always felt more British than Irish”.

It brought criticism from many quarters, mainly because he received funding from the Golfing Union of Ireland before turning professional in 2007. All amateur golfers from the North play for Ireland.

“After everything that happened last week, it definitely makes me reconsider my position and reconsider a lot of things. I think it just really hit home with me how important it is for a lot of people and how important my success has been to them. Obviously, I’ve had a lot of support from all sides — from people that call themselves Irish, from Northern Irish, to the whole of the UK, to people over here in the States…

“It’s four years away — I still have a bit of time to decide. But I’m very, very appreciative and very grateful of the support that I get from everyone.

“It’s great that I get so much support. There are not many people in my position that have to go through what I might have to go through in four years’ time, but it is what it is.”