Zika and scheduling concerns are convenient excuses, but the Northern Irishman's views are emblematic of players' attitudes toward the Games
Heavy weather is expected at the Open this weekend, but the dark cloud of the Olympics is already looming over the clubhouse at Royal Troon.
Fears over the Zika virus have sparked an exodus of talent from the Games, which will be without the sport’s four biggest names in the event’s inaugural year.
Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have all withdrawn, citing the mosquito-borne virus as their primary reason for opting out.
It is an embarrassing episode for the International Golf Federation, who pushed hard for the sport’s inclusion since 2009.
In his pre-tournament press conference, McIlroy was scathing in his assessment of the event.
The Northern Irishman will not even watch his PGA Tour colleagues compete in Brazil, sticking instead to track and field, diving and swimming – “the stuff that matters”, as he put it.
McIlroy should be commended for his candid – albeit late – admission that the event is not important to him.
But his comments reveal the worrying truth about golf’s attitude toward the Olympics, and where the priorities of the world’s top players are.
Zika and scheduling concerns are convenient excuses, but the reality is that players simply do not view a trip to Rio as worthy of their time.
Success in golf is measured in two easily quantifiable ways: major championships and the money list.
Perhaps it is not entirely surprising, then, that individuals are not especially keen to rock down to Brazil to play for nothing on the premise of helping the game grow.
The green jacket and the Claret Jug remain the priority, with the Olympics nowhere near the pinnacle of sport.
This does not reflect particularly well on golf, though, nor does it alter the perception of it as an antiquated game bogged down in archaic rules and old-fashioned traditions.
Tennis, however, has learned to love the Olympics after a tepid start at the 1988 Games.
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and eventual winner Andy Murray all took part at London 2012, and all three have emphasised its importance.
Djokovic – who along with Murray will miss the Davis Cup quarter-finals in order to get ready for Brazil – has called the event tennis’ fifth grand slam.
The Wimbledon champion, meanwhile, has discussed several times the pride he feels at being a part of Team GB.
Winning gold at London 2012, remember, was also the catalyst that propelled Murray into tennis’ elite.
The 29-year-old won his first major at the US Open just one months after claiming Olympic gold, with his historic first triumph at SW19 following less than a year later.
McIlroy is in need of a similar boost.
The 27-year-old has not lifted a major for nearly two years, while the one-time world No. 1 now trails Day, Johnson and Spieth in the world rankings.
McIlroy was less than complimentary about the Ryder Cup early in his career, dismissing the sport’s premier team competition as an “exhibition”.
That was a remark he later admitted he regretted, and he has since become one of Europe’s leaders on and off the course.
Should the players’ lack of support result in golf’s removal from the Olympics beyond Tokyo in 2020, though, McIlroy may not have a chance to learn that lesson again.
