Rory McIlroy was the subject of much criticism ahead of the Rio Olympics for his decision to withdraw from the Irish team, stating that it wasn't his place in the sport to "help grow the game" in front of the worldwide television audience. In fact, McIlroy stated that he would only watch "the stuff that matters" from the Rio Olympics on TV.
The four-time major winner appears to have changed his tune, though.
It pleasantly surprised me. There was more people at the golf events than there was at the athletics. It was good to see, it really was. It seems like it was a great atmosphere down there. I think it was one of the cheaper tickets, as well, and I think that encouraged a lot of people to go. But to see the crowds and see the turnout, I was glad to be somewhat proven wrong.
The Irishman also stated that he didn't see very much of Olympics at all, as he was on holiday in a log cabin with in upstate New York with no electricity. He did, though, find a television to see Justin Rose win the first Olympic gold medal for golf in more than a century.
McIlroy was joined in boycotting the Olympics by a host of the world's top players, like Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, most of whom cited fears related to the Zika virus for their non-participation.
Spieth has reaffirmed that he hopes he will be a part of the Tokyo Olympics in four years time and we hope, for the sake of Ireland's medal haul at the very least, that Rory will come to a similar conclusion.
[Reading Eagle]
