Rory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to play for Ireland at the 2020 Olympics.
He had been scheduled to go to the 2016 Games in Rio but pulled out because of concerns over the Zika virus.
In the build-up to the last Olympics, McIlroy, who was born in Holywood, Co Down, admitted having to make a choice over which nation to play for had left him somewhat resentful.
The 30-year-old was asked about his plans for Toyko 2020 as he prepared for this week’s USPGA Championship at Bethpage in New York.
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“More likely than not I will play. I think it would be a great experience,” McIlroy said at a press conference. “Right now in my mind, I’ll most likely play.”
With Neil Manchip, who used to coach McIlroy as an amateur, set to lead the Ireland team in Japan, the world number four admitted he would probably get “a little bit nostalgic”.
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McIlroy said: “I think as a young boy it was always my dream to play for Ireland. I wanted to play for Ireland. I was very proud to put on that shirt or that blazer.
“It’s the same as like the rugby players, right? There’s players that play for Ulster, but they want to play for Ireland. It’s seen as a whole-island sport, just like hockey is, just like most of the sports are.”
