Rory McIlroy Speaks Of 'Difficult, Sensitive' GB/ Ireland Dilemma

Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy has added weight to rumours he will compete for Team GB when golf becomes an Olympic sport in Rio 2016.

The Holywood-born man, who has just won the Deutsche Bank and BMW championships in close succession, spoke of the dilemma facing him, as, like all Olympic athletes born in Northern Ireland, to play in the Olympics he would have to choose between playing for Team GB and playing for Team Ireland.

Mr McIlroy told the Daily Mail: "What makes it such an awful position to be in is I have grown up my whole life playing for Ireland under the Golfing Union of Ireland umbrella. But the fact is, I've always felt more British than Irish. Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don't know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland. And so I have to weigh that up against the fact that I’ve always played for Ireland and so it is tough. Whatever I do, I know my decision is going to upset some people but I just hope the vast majority will understand."

In an open letter posted on Twitter, the world's number one golfer admitted: "I am in an extremely sensitive and difficult position."

He said playing in the Olympics "would be a huge honour" but he had not yet decided if he would participate and, if so, on which team.

(NE)