"I've been thinking about it a lot," McIlroy told a pre-tournament press conference. "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.
"Thinking about all the times that I played as an amateur for Ireland and as a boy and everything, I think for me it's the right decision to play for Ireland in 2016."
McIlroy had previously spoken of being in an "extremely sensitive and difficult position" over the decision, releasing an open letter on his Twitter account in September 2012 in response to quotes attributed to him which said he felt "more British than Irish".
Asked if he had been "torn" on the issue, the former World Number One added on Wednesday: "More worried about what other people would think, rather than me. But you've got to do what's right for yourself and what you feel most comfortable with, and ultimately that was the decision that I made.
"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. Just because now that I'm playing golf for money and I'm a professional, I'm supposed to have this choice or this decision to make, where if you look at the rugby players, you look at cricketers or hockey players, they view Ireland as one, the same as we do in golf.
"I don't think there's any point to change that or go against that just because it's a different event or it's the Olympics.
"I've had a lot of time on my own the last few weeks and just been thinking about it a lot. It's something that's been quite important to me and something that I needed to make some sort of decision or some sort of stand on it.
"Just weighing up everything, and thinking back about the times that I played for Ireland and won the European Team championship with Ireland, won a lot of great amateur titles representing Ireland, I just thought why change that? Basically it's just a continuation of what I've always done."
Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014048/news/newsid=226405.html#LjYCo2az7ttPXO2l.99
McIlroy nails his Olympic colours to the Irish mast
The Co Down golfer to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
Rory McIlroy will wrap the green flag around him after all for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman - who was also eligible to represent Great Britain - has decided he will compete for Ireland in two years time after taking his time to come to what he called “the right decision.”
In pointing out that other sports like rugby and cricket were also all-island sports, McIlroy - a two-time Major champion and currently ranked number six in the official world rankings - made the announcement today on the eve of the Irish Open at Fota Island where he is the headline attraction.
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John B. Reid
It is brilliant news that Rory McIlroy has made the right decision for the 2016 Olympics, well done Rory for coming home! As an Irishman I am very proud of you today.
2 hours ago
2 Likes
Felix McElhone
@John B. Reid I don't think that there was a right or wrong decision here. McIllroy was entitled to choose either Britain or Ireland. I'm glad he made a choice though having read that he was considering not taking part in the Olympics so as not to cause offence.
2 hours ago
1 Like
@John B. Reid
We haven't WON anything John, it's just a personal decision Rory has come to. Either way, I don't think it's for us to rejoice about, it's not appropriate.
On another note, will Harrington make the grade?!
59 minutes ago
Stefani Creane
Wrap the green flag? You mean green, white and orange flag. The orange is somewhat pertinent to those in the north like Graeme McDowell for example.
2 hours ago
2 Likes
The way he changes his mind, give me a break.
1 hour ago
Seosamh Branagh
Very unlikely given the stats that he would be selected for Britain in any case.
How is he so sure that Ireland will stoop to have him?
1 hour ago
0 Likes
Ronan McCabe
On current form/ranking he would be selected. There is a bitterness to yuor comment i find hard to comprehend
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