Aussie golfer says Rory McIlroy is taking ‘a lot of pressure’ at the Olympics while players like him are ‘flying under the radar’
Australian golfer Jason Day opened up about Rory McIlroy's game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Day and McIlroy were paired for the third round, and following the round, the Aussie spoke about playing in a group with the Northern Irish golfer.
Jason Day discussed the pressure golfers face while surrounded by fans. He admitted that McIlroy takes "a lot of pressure" while other players, including Day himself, "fly under the radar."
"It's easy for me to be out there because I'm like flying under the radar when it comes to Rory. He takes a lot of pressure with that. I think he thoroughly enjoys that," Day said (via ASAP Sports).
Day went on to say that he enjoys playing his game and usually focuses on himself.
"But for me, like I've got to get stuck into my own game. I just focus on myself and add them up at the end of the day and hopefully they are a lot lower than my playing partners. Like I said, I've got one more day to go, so I'm looking forward to that," he added.
Following the third round of the Paris Olympics, Rory McIlroy was tied for sixth place, while Jason Day was tied for tenth. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm was tied for the lead with Xander Schauffele at 14-under par. They held a one-stroke lead over Tommy Fleetwood. The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, August 4.
Rory McIlroy "taken aback" by huge crowds at the Paris Olympics 2024
Rory McIlroy spoke about the large crowd cheering for golfers at the 2024 Paris Olympics after the third round on Saturday, August 3. McIlroy admitted that he was "taken aback" by the number of people. He was surprised to see such a large audience watching golf at the Olympics.
"I haven't really -- I think the one thing that we've been taken aback by is just how many people are out there. I think that was the thing that I've been surprised by. Actually my first one was Tokyo," McIlory said (via ASAP Sports).
"Especially the contrast of having no one here on the practise days, and then getting here and having 20,000 people, it's really cool. I think that's been the big talking point, just how great the support has been for us out here," he added.
Rory McIlroy shot a 66 on Saturday, placing him tied for sixth. The Northern Irish player shot a 68 in the first round, followed by a 69 in the second. Meanwhile, Jason Day started his game with a round of 69, followed by a 68. Day scored a 67 in the third round, tying for tenth place with Ludvig Åberg and Joaquín Niemann.