The 35-year-old came to win. But reality proved otherwise as he failed to even claim a spot on the podium. Even so, the Northern Irishman was only full of praises for the quadrennial event. Surprised at his stance despite failing to win the Olympics? Well, don’t be, for Rory McIlroy also compared it to the Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, after facing such a close loss at such a prestigious tournament, will he be willing to stand up and dust himself off with an appearance at the Wyndham Championship?

As per the official field released by the PGA Tour, the 4-time major champ will not be teeing it off at Sedgefield Country Club. McIlroy, who is currently placed at the 3rd spot in the FedEx Cup standings, is well set and qualified to tee off at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. It makes sense, then, if the pro takes a week’s break before traveling to Tennessee.

That’s not all. As per the official schedule shared by the golfer on his website, the athlete is planning to take part in the playoffs at TPC Southwind, followed by the BMW Championship, and the finale at East Lake Golf Club. He would surely hope to fare better than his performance at Le Golf National in Paris and increase his win tally, the last of which came at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.

Back in Paris, Rory McIlroy could only finish T5 all the while placing himself two strokes behind Hideki Matsuyama, the bronze medalist. He put up a figure of 15-under overall through the four days of play while carding a score of 269. The golfer did so by dishing out a total of 21 birdies, six bogeys, two double bogeys, and eagles each.

Despite the close call once again (remember the 2024 U.S. Open finish at Pinehurst?) the Northern Irishman didn’t fail to express his awe of the Olympics men’s golfing event. “We were talking about it out there,” disclosed the 26-time PGA Tour champ, “Nico reckons it’s the best tournament he’s ever been involved in, and he’s played a Ryder Cup.” The pro was alluding to Nicolai Hojgaard who was part of his group on Sunday alongside Hideki Matsuyama. Interestingly, McIlroy realized the importance of the event given the situation of the golf world right now.

Rory McIlroy comes out brutally candid while praising the Olympic event

“A sh*t show!” Well, that’s what Rory McIlroy believes is the state that the golf world right now. An aggressive stance, but still one that makes sense. For one can’t help but wonder if he is actually right with the ever-extending PGA Tour-PIF merger and the LIV Golf dilemma. He said, “I think with how much of a sh-t show the game of golf is right now and you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don’t play for money in it.”

The professional was, surprisingly, hinting at the biennial event that pits the American team against Europe. He also highlighted the potential that golf, as an event in the Olympics, has; “I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, pure competition, and I think this has the potential to be right up there with it.”

Despite the loss, it appears the athlete was able to thoroughly enjoy the four days he spent on the course in Paris. Anyhow, after witnessing the game of golf that the field of 60 dished out over the same, the fans would surely agree with Rory McIlroy’s words; “I think every single player this week has had an amazing experience.”