Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig reveals Rory McIlroy ‘was a bit salty’ during his Olympics press conference at Le Golf National.
Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig has revealed Rory McIlroy ‘was a bit salty’ during his Olympic press conference at Le Golf National, and that his brutal Ryder Cup dig aimed at the Americans hardly made sense.
McIlroy, 35, was asked by a reporter to give his thoughts on the rough potentially being less penal this week than it was during the 2018 Ryder Cup when Europe trounced the United States 17.5-10.5 at Le Golf National.
“Ask the Americans, I wasn’t in it much that week,” replied McIlroy as he stifled a smile.
Rory McIlroy gave a ‘salty’ press conference at the Olympics
While McIlroy’s comment drew initial chuckles from reporters in the media centre, Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig took to X / Twitter to point out there was a slight issue with the Northern Irishman’s response.
That’s because none of the four American players teeing it up at the Olympcis this week – Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark – even competed on the 2018 US Ryder Cup team.
There are therefore no Americans to ask how comparable the rough is at Le Golf National.
It should probably also be noted McIlroy took 2 points from a possible 5 at the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Rory was a bit salty on Tuesday in his pre tournament interview. Asked about the rough at Le Golf National compared to 2018 Ryder Cup: “Ask the Americans. I wasn’t in it much that week.” it should be noted there are no Americans to ask. None who played in ‘18 Ryder Cup are…
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) July 31, 2024
Harig tweeted: ‘Rory was a bit salty on Tuesday in his pre tournament interview. Asked about the rough at Le Golf National compared to 2018 Ryder Cup: “Ask the Americans. I wasn’t in it much that week.” it should be noted there are no Americans to ask. None who played in ‘18 Ryder Cup are here.’
Elsewhere in McIlroy’s press conference, he told a reporter it was “none of your business” as to why he was playing a round of golf at St Andrews on Monday.
When McIlroy was playing the famous 18th hole on the Old Course at St Andrews, he was greeted by a rather loud US heckler.
McIlroy soon sat him back down with his choice of reply as he cupped his hands to his mouth.
WATCH MCILROY’S RESPONSE HERE
He also reignited a LIV Golf war with his choice of words around why their players did not make it to the Olympics.
McIlroy has chosen to represent Ireland at the Olympic Golf Tournament.
He is joined on Team Ireland by his good friend Shane Lowry, who was the flag bearer during the opening ceremony last week.
After a quick holiday to Portugal with his family following a lacklustre missed cut two weeks ago at The 152nd Open at Royal Troon, McIlroy is now eying the opportunity to clasp his hands on an Olympic gold medal for the first time.
But while McIlroy admits a gold medal ‘would mean a lot’ to him, he does not believe the Olympic Golf Tournament is anywhere near on par with the majors at The Masters, US PGA, US Open and The Open.
At least not right now.
“It’s hard to say [whether the Olympic Golf Tournament will become like a major], as even this week, the way the qualification system works, not all the best players in the world are here,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.
“You’d like to think that if you’re going to win something really prestigious in the sport then you want all the best players playing and that isn’t quite happening here.
“It’s still very meaningful and if I were to win a medal, especially a gold medal, it would mean a lot to me.”
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