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'I won't watch golf at Olympics, I will watch the sports that matter' - Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy during a press conference during the practice day at Royal Troon Expand

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Rory McIlroy during a press conference during the practice day at Royal Troon

Rory McIlroy during a press conference during the practice day at Royal Troon

PA

Rory McIlroy during a press conference during the practice day at Royal Troon

Harry Clarke

Rory McIlroy has revealed he will not even watch the golf at the Olympics and will instead focus on the "sports that matter".

McIlroy is just one of many high-profile golfers to withdraw from the Rio Olympics - the first Games to feature golf since 1904.

Jordan Spieth is the latest to pull out and he, like McIlroy and a host of others, cited the Zika virus as his reasoning for doing so.

Critics feel that the top golfers never wanted to play in the Olympics in the first place and are simply using Zika fears as an excuse not to participate.

And their views will be strengthened following McIlroy's comments today.

"I don’t feel like I’ve let the game down at all. I didn’t get into golf to try to grow the game, I tried to get into golf to win championships and win major championships," said McIlroy ahead of the British Open.

"I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made, I have no regrets about it. I’ll probably watch the Olympics, but I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I’ll watch.

When quizzed on what events he would watch, McIlroy added: "I'll watch track and field, swimming, diving - you know, ones that matter."

More to follow...






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