A rule’s a rule. Although we as fans were enraged, a professional athlete like Rory McIlroy did not feel any compassion towards the brutal Olympic qualifications that put Bryson DeChambeau on the victim’s list. Yes, McIlroy knows better than many that Bryson DeChambeau has had the best year of his career, but the Irish golfer had much more faith in the usual procedure followed by the Olympics. So, what did Rory McIlroy honestly state about the golfer who snatched his US Open win by a stroke at Pinehurst this year?

In the pre-tournament press conference of the Olympics on July 30 in Paris, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were asked about their honest opinions regarding Bryson DeChambeau missing out on his Olympic participation. McIlroy did not hesitate to take the side of the Olympic authorities, who maintain a thorough balance and selection procedure across all sports. The English golfer first stated that the consequence of the selection process is purely natural.

“Yeah, I think that’s the nature of qualification for the Olympics,” said McIlroy in just 8 easy going simple but very true words. He further insinuated how a person can achieve the milestone of being the world’s fifth-best sprinter. However, unless they are from a certain country they will not get the opportunity to stand on that world stage representing a nation. The 35-year-old golfer further revealed that the rules have not been tweaked for golf in particular. It is something that every sport has to follow. He reflected, “So I think it’s just the way that the qualification works in the Olympic Games, and that’s not just in golf. That’s in other disciplines, as well.”

Although McIlroy talked about the ultimatum of the rules, the Irish golfer Shane Lowry prodded on a minute reason behind Bryson DeChambeau missing a spot on the US team.

Is it hard to make the American team?

Shane Lowry, the Irish golfer who recently went through a heartbreak at the Royal Tronn despite playing phenomenally, made a valid argument. He stated that the World. No. 9, Bryson DeChameau, has not been able to make the team of Americans. The reason he stated, “No. 9 in the world is not here, either, for the Americans. The American Team is a hard team to make.”

Although the 2x US Open winner is 9th in the OWGR, he is only 6th among the Americans. Even then, the higher percentage of American golfers claiming the early spots of the OWGR makes it truly competitive. Only the top 4 golfers from a nation can ultimately represent their country at the Olympics, and with his rank, DeChambeau is 2 spots behind. Moreover, LIV Golf’s exclusion from the OWGR also serves as a huge minus for a player like DeChambeau, who had an amazing year in golf.

This year, the American dream team consists of World #1 Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, and Xander Schauffele. Do you think the Olympic qualifications should change their methods? Let us know your thoughts on this integral matter in the comments below.