TROON, Scotland (AP) — Rory McIlroy has taken aim at Olympic golf, saying he’s not even sure he’ll watch it on television.
McIlroy spoke Tuesday after a practice round for the British Open. He won’t be playing in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, citing health concerns, and it’s clear he’s not a big fan of the sport even being part of the games for the first time since 1904.
McIlroy says he’s “very comfortable” with his decision not to go to Rio. He also he will “probably watch the Olympics, but I’m not sure golf is one of the sports I’ll watch.”
Asked which sports would get his attention, McIlroy mentioned athletics, swimming and diving. He called those sports “the stuff that matters.”
McIlroy goes on to say he didn’t become a golfer “to grow the game” – one of the reasons often cited by boosters of Olympic golf as a reason to support their efforts. He says his main goal is to win major championships.
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