Rory McIlroy has announced that he is "more than likely" going to represent Team Ireland at next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
It would be a first appearance for the Down man at the quadrennial event after he opted not to travel to Rio back in 2016.
At the time, McIlroy cited issues such as the Zika virus and his struggle to decide on an allegiance between Britain and Ireland as his reasons for not competing.
After fielding questions prior to this week's US PGA Championship at Bethpage, the 30-year-old shed light on his current feelings, claiming that he is now likely to represent the Irish team.
Next up on the podium - 2-time PGA Champion @McIlroyRory! #PGAChamp https://t.co/xtl7mF1jI0
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 14, 2019
He told the press conference:
More likely than not I will play. I think it would be a great experience.
I think as a young boy it was always my dream to play for Ireland.
I wanted to play for Ireland. I was very proud to put on that shirt or that blazer
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has also announced that he is keen on playing in the Olympics.
Speaking at his press conference prior to this week's major, the 43-year-old said:
I’m sure I won’t get many more opportunities going forward at 43-years-old to play in many Olympics
It would be a first for me. Getting there and making the team would be the tough part.
If I play well in the big events, like I did this year, things will take care of themselves.
Golf was reintroduced to the Olympics for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century at the last edition of the Games. As it happened, many of the world's top players decided against competing in Brazil due to the threat the Zika virus posed.
Nevertheless, a number of high-profile names did travel to the Games. Justin Rose won the gold medal for Great Britain at the event, while Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar completed the podium, winning the silver and bronze medals respectively.
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