Rory McIlroy calls golf a “sh*t show”, claims the sport is more ‘pure’ without prize money at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Rory McIlroy finished T5 in the golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, just two shots behind the bronze medalist. McIlroy carded a 15-under total to finish tied with Jon Rahm.
McIlroy has repeatedly praised the Olympic event, and his praise did not stop after the final round. The Irishman said Olympic golf has the potential to be the best event in the world alongside the Ryder Cup.
This was part of what McIlroy said (via Golf.com journalist Sean Zak):
"Amazing. We were talking about it out there and Nico [Nicolai Hojgaard] reckons it's the Best tournament he's ever been involved in, and he's played a Ryder Cup. I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, pure competition, and I think this has the potential to be right up there with it."
He added:
"I think with how much of a sh*t show the game of golf is right now and you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don't play for money in it.
"So it speaks volumes for what's important in sports and what's important, I think every single player this week has had an amazing experience."
Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal in men's golf at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a score of 19 under. Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama took the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Rory McIlroy's Olympic Golf Performance at a Glance
While he ultimately missed out on a podium finish, McIlroy was one of the main contenders for Olympic golf medals in Paris. His performance was marked by many ups and downs, especially in the first two rounds.
McIlroy began the event with a score of 3 under for the first 18 holes. His first round included an eagle and five birdies, but also four bogeys. He was even less fortunate on Friday, carding an eagle, four birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey to finish 2 under.
On the "Moving Day", McIlroy improved his performance significantly, making five birdies without a bogey. That put him in medal contention, four shots behind leaders Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele.
The Irishman started the fourth and decisive round with a good pace, playing the front nine with two birdies and no bogeys. He then accelerated in earnest, birdieing the first five holes of the back nine to flirt with medal contention.
That chance fizzled out when he double-bogeyed the 16th, sending his second shot into the water and taking a penalty stroke. He parred the final three holes but could not improve on his fifth-place finish.
However, it is the second top 5 finish for McIlroy in two Olympic appearances. At Tokyo 2021, he finished T4, losing out on the bronze medal in a playoff.