Rory McIlroy confirmed on Wednesday he would represent Ireland should he qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil where golf will return to the Games.
The former world No.1 had been torn between representing Britain, given he was born in Northern Ireland, or Ireland, having played all his amateur golf under the banner of the Dublin-based Golfing Union of Ireland.
However, 25-year-old McIlroy opted to make public his decision ahead of next month's International Golf Federation meeting on July 14 at the British Open that is set to announce the eligibility criteria for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
"I've been thinking about it a lot. I don't know whether it's been because the World Cup has been in Brazil and I've been thinking a couple of years down the line," said McIlroy.
"I have also thought about all the times that I played as an amateur for Ireland and as a boy and everything so, for me, it's the right decision to play for Ireland, so I'm going to play for Ireland in 2016.
"I feel like it's the right decision for me. There's no point in delaying it and letting it linger any longer.
"I was always very proud to put on the Irish uniform and play as an amateur and as a boy, and I would be very proud to do it again."
But if McIlroy does qualify and he and his teammate proceed to win an Olympic medal, he says the achievement would not rate as high as winning a major Championship.
"Winning an Olympic medal is still is not as big as a major championship but it's up there," said the Ulsterman, who has already won two majors.
"The majors in our sport are the biggest and best prizes in the game. But, as hopefully golf grows in the Olympics and becomes say bigger in four or five Games down the line, then it might become bigger.
"With the first one now, it's not quite up there, but it would still be a huge achievement to win a medal."
Share
