Rory McIlroy has confirmed that he will be competing at the 2020 Olympics and that he will represent Ireland at the Tokyo Games.
The World No.2 had previously said he was intending on playing in Japan at next summer’s Games, however he had never officially confirmed he would be attending.
But now, in an interview with the Golf Channel ahead of this week’s inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan, the 30-year-old has revealed he will be competing at the event.
McIlroy did not play at Rio 2016, citing fears over the Zika virus as the reason why he did not attend the first Olympics golf had been played at since 1904.
This time around, however, the Holywood native admits that he cannot wait to play at the Olympics after seeing the reaction of the locals this week.
“I’m excited to play the Olympics and call myself an Olympian,” he said, speaking to the Golf Channel.
“Coming to such a golf-crazy country like Japan helps. It’s a really good atmosphere and just being here this week and seeing the enthusiasm of the fans makes me look forward to coming back next year and playing the Olympics.”
Of course, one of the big debates around McIlroy’s involvement at the Olympics has centered around who he would be competing for between Great Britain or Ireland.
But the four-time Major champion says that hasn’t bothered him this time around and that the decision to declare for Ireland was easier than he thought it would be.
McIlroy has represented the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) throughout his junior career, including winning several high profile GUI events south of the border.