![Why does Rory McIlroy play golf for Ireland and not Great Britain in the Olympics? | The Independent Why does Rory McIlroy play golf for Ireland and not Great Britain in the Olympics? | The Independent](https://static.independent.co.uk/2021/07/30/12/78e60517db15c769194ef7872da7ae90Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjI3NzI4NDky-2.61261487.jpg?quality=75&width=982&height=726&auto=webp)
Why does Rory McIlroy play golf for Ireland and not Great Britain in the Olympics? | The Independent
![Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his putt on the 17th green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ( Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his putt on the 17th green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/11936381_web1_Players-Championship-Golf-3-.jpg)
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his putt on the 17th green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (
![Niall Horan helps launch new joint men's and women's pro tournament in Northern Ireland | Golf News and Tour Information | Golf Digest Niall Horan helps launch new joint men's and women's pro tournament in Northern Ireland | Golf News and Tour Information | Golf Digest](https://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/05/14/5cdac1a92efce259a6bb7941_niall-horan-ryder-cup-celebrity-match-2018.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1573216807571.jpeg)
Niall Horan helps launch new joint men's and women's pro tournament in Northern Ireland | Golf News and Tour Information | Golf Digest
![Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, plays a shot in the second round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan Internatio Stock Photo - Alamy Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, plays a shot in the second round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan Internatio Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/W91F26/golfer-rory-mcilroy-of-northern-ireland-right-plays-a-shot-in-the-second-round-match-of-the-hsbc-champions-golf-tournament-at-the-sheshan-internatio-W91F26.jpg)
Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, plays a shot in the second round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan Internatio Stock Photo - Alamy
![Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is pictured in the first round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai, China, 31 October 2013. — sportive, athletic - Stock Photo | #242147806 Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is pictured in the first round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai, China, 31 October 2013. — sportive, athletic - Stock Photo | #242147806](https://st4.depositphotos.com/21607914/i/600/depositphotos_244094670-stock-photo-rory-mcilroy-northern-ireland-looks.jpg)
Golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is pictured in the first round match of the HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai, China, 31 October 2013. — sportive, athletic - Stock Photo | #242147806
![Niall Horan Shows Off Golf Skills at Tournament in Northern Ireland: Photo 4335933 | Niall Horan Pictures | Just Jared Niall Horan Shows Off Golf Skills at Tournament in Northern Ireland: Photo 4335933 | Niall Horan Pictures | Just Jared](https://cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/niall-golf/niall-horan-golf-tournament-pics-05.jpg)
Niall Horan Shows Off Golf Skills at Tournament in Northern Ireland: Photo 4335933 | Niall Horan Pictures | Just Jared
![Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke plays a shot on the second fairway during the third round of the 2006 Irish Open golf tournament at Carton House near Leixlip in Ireland May 20, 2006. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke plays a shot on the second fairway during the third round of the 2006 Irish Open golf tournament at Carton House near Leixlip in Ireland May 20, 2006.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D17089/northern-irelands-darren-clarke-plays-a-shot-on-the-second-fairway-during-the-third-round-of-the-2006-irish-open-golf-tournament-at-carton-house-near-leixlip-in-ireland-may-20-2006-reutersmike-finn-kelcey-2D17089.jpg)
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke plays a shot on the second fairway during the third round of the 2006 Irish Open golf tournament at Carton House near Leixlip in Ireland May 20, 2006.
![Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup (MGA vs. Golfing Union of Ireland) History | Metropolitan Golf Association Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup (MGA vs. Golfing Union of Ireland) History | Metropolitan Golf Association](https://www.mgagolf.org/sites/default/files/images/48949251628_388b6f6c90_k.jpg)