Entertainment

McIlroy in ‘really good place’ for Sunday medal chase

Published

4 months ago

August 4, 2024

Rory McIlroy says he is “excited” for the opportunity to chase an Olympic medal when the men’s golf event concludes on Sunday.

The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland goes into the final round at Le Golf National in a tie for sixth and four shots off leaders Xander Schauffele of the USA and Spain’s Jon Rahm.

McIlroy was initially sceptical of golf’s introduction to the Olympics, and did not compete for Team Ireland at the first opportunity in Rio, but says his rounds in Paris have been “a lot more fun” than in more traditional big events.

“You don’t get this at the Masters,” he told BBC Sport in front of a chanting crowd.

“It’s a lot more fun. The crowd are so enthusiastic, it’s awesome.

“It’s an incredible environment to play in and I’m excited to play one more time in it tomorrow.”

McIlroy, who won the last of his four majors in 2014, finished in a six-way tie for fourth place in Tokyo three years ago and joked this week that he had never tried so hard to finish third in his career.

This time around, while Schauffele, Rahm and Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood will start the final round in the medal positions, McIlroy is joined in the chasing pack by the likes of world number one Scottie Scheffler and former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama.

“I’m in a really good place in the leaderboard,” added McIlroy.