Every golfer has different ways of preparing for the Olympics.
Ben An went home to Florida while Tom Kim stayed in London. Scottie Scheffler vacationed a bit in France and has been enjoying the Olympic experience and Paris with his family.
For Rory McIlroy, his prep involves the home of golf.
McIlroy was one of the favorites two weeks ago at Royal Troon before missing the cut, and video surfaced Monday of him playing the Old Course at St. Andrews only 72 hours before he’s set to tee it up for Ireland in the Olympic games at Le Golf National in Paris.
Rory McIlroy is preparing for @OlympicGolf in Paris with a round on The Old Course at St Andrews this afternoon.
Here he is hitting his tee shot on the 12th hole. pic.twitter.com/7WBbwRYPBR
— Kieran Clark (@KieranClarkGolf) July 29, 2024
The men’s golf competition is set to begin Thursday at the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup. McIlroy went 2-3-0 in Paris that year with the Europeans coming out on top.
It’s nothing new for McIlroy to show up to events only a couple of days before they begin. It’s something he has done numerous times this year, including major championship weeks.
He even had some fun with some inebriated fans near the clubhouse.
Rory McIlroy getting in round on the Old Course. Love his response to over served American. #RoryMcllroy #oldcourse #standrews #yourenotgonnaloveusnextyear pic.twitter.com/JwpRjMN5DW
— The Secret of St. Andrews Podcast (@standrews_1759) July 29, 2024
McIlroy finished T-4 in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and was a part of the seven-man playoff for bronze, which C.T. Pan eventually claimed.