Rory McIlroy has taken another dig at his American rivals.

Rory McIlroy has taken the opportunity to poke fun at his American rivals ahead of representing Ireland in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Golf, which was reintroduced to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, has since seen players vying for the prestigious gold medal. McIlroy, a prominent figure in the golf world, is keen on securing a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and has made his intentions clear with some light-hearted jabs at his competition.

Recently, McIlroy was spotted making a surprise visit to St. Andrews, a historic venue in the golf world, where he had an impromptu round of golf. During this visit, he was filmed humorously interacting with fans. In one memorable exchange, an enthusiastic supporter shouted, “New York loves you, the Bronx baby, the Bronx,” to which McIlroy playfully responded, “You’re not gonna love us next year!” This comment was a cheeky nod to the 2025 Ryder Cup, indicating his anticipation of future golf events and his competitive spirit.

McIlroy’s jabs weren’t confined to just fan interactions. He also took a playful swipe at his American rivals concerning their performance at the 2018 Ryder Cup. At that event, held at Le Golf National in Paris, Team Europe emerged victorious with a decisive score of 17.5 to 10.5. Reflecting on the event, McIlroy was asked about whether the rough at the upcoming Olympics would be similar to that of the Ryder Cup. With characteristic wit, he quipped, “Ask the Americans. I wasn’t in [the rough] much that week.” This comment was a subtle dig at the American team’s struggle with the challenging course conditions during the Ryder Cup.

The Ryder Cup in Paris six years ago was a defining moment for McIlroy and his European teammates, showcasing their prowess on home soil. As McIlroy prepares for the Olympics, he is aware of the significance of competing at Le Golf National once again. However, he has also expressed a realistic view on the status of Olympic golf in comparison to the sport’s four major championships—The Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship.

In his comments about the Olympic golf tournament, McIlroy acknowledged that while winning an Olympic medal is an incredible achievement, it is not yet regarded with the same weight as winning a major championship. He explained that the Olympic golf tournament still has a way to go before it can be considered on par with the sport’s most prestigious events. McIlroy noted, “As time goes on, as the Olympics become a greater part of our sport, it will mean more to the sport.” He also pointed out that the current qualification system means not all of the world’s top golfers are competing in the Olympics, which affects the tournament’s perceived prestige.

Despite this, McIlroy emphasized that securing a medal, particularly a gold one, would be a significant achievement and something he would cherish deeply. He said, “It’s still very meaningful and if I were to win a medal, especially a gold medal, it would mean a lot to me.” This sentiment reflects McIlroy’s dedication to his sport and his commitment to achieving excellence on the global stage.

As McIlroy gears up for the Paris Olympics, his playful banter and competitive edge underscore his readiness to make an impact and vie for top honors. His comments serve as both a light-hearted reminder of his competitive spirit and an indication of his serious aspirations for the upcoming games.