Rory McIlroy Plays Old Course Ahead Of Olympics
The four-time Major winner is back in action at the Paris Olympics later in the week, and he got some preparation in at the Home of Golf


Rory McIlroy will tee it up for Ireland later in the week when the Olympics men’s tournament begins at Le Golf National in Paris, and he has been getting some preparation in at the Old Course, St Andrews.
McIlroy began his practice round shortly after lunchtime on Monday, and footage has emerged on social media of him taking tee shots on the 12th and 16th.
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/7WBbwRYPBRJuly 29, 2024
Almost inevitably, his appearance at the scene of his Open near-miss in 2022 soon captured the attention of others at the course, with a crowd gathering to see him at the 16th tee, which is located close to the driving range. Meanwhile, he also found time for some friendly banter with a fan over Team Europe's chances at next year's Ryder Cup...
Rory McIlroy getting in round on the Old Course. Love his response to over served American. #RoryMcllroy #oldcourse #standrews #yourenotgonnaloveusnextyear pic.twitter.com/JwpRjMN5DWJuly 29, 2024
He explained it was his first round of golf since missing the cut at The Open two weeks ago.
"Yeah, none of your business why I was there but it's always nice to play St Andrews," he joked in his press conference at Le Golf National.
"Yeah, it was good. I wasn't expecting quite the crowd on the last few holes that we got but yeah, it was good. That was the first game of golf I've had since Troon. I thought at least one game of golf before I got here was probably beneficial."
It’s been a busy, albeit mixed, few weeks for McIlroy. After heartbreakingly missing out on a fifth Major title to Bryson DeChambeau at last month’s US Open, he withdrew from the Travelers Championship, but returned for the Genesis Scottish Open, where he finished T4.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
A photo posted by on
However, while that suggested McIlroy was in the form that could bring him his first Major win in a decade, there was more disappointment the week after at Royal Troon, where he comfortably missed his first Open cut in five years.
After his second round at Troon, McIlroy admitted that, with his fate all but sealed, his mind had wandered elsewhere. He said: "I think once I made the eight on the fourth hole, that was it. 22 holes into the event and I'm thinking about where I'm going to go on vacation next week.
"Yeah, that was basically it. I mean, I knew from then I'd sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to shoot, four, or five, under-par".
McIlroy’s vacation took him to Portugal, where it will be hoped he has reenergized ahead of his second Olympics appearance.
Rory McIlroy made his Olympics debut in the 2020 edition, which was held in Tokyo
McIlroy, who was playing with fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin’s agent at the Home of Golf, almost bagged a medal for his country in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He reached a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal, although Chinese Taipei star CT Pan ultimately made it to the podium alongside winner Xander Schauffele and Rory Sabbatini.
The men's Olympics tournament runs from 1-4 August.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Justin Thomas Confirms Stand-In Caddie Will Not Replace Long-Term Looper After First Victory Since 2022
Thomas won the RBC Heritage with Max Homa's former looper, Joe Greiner as his assistant but is looking forward to welcoming his regular caddie back soon
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rose Zhang Ruled Out Of Chevron Championship
The American hasn't featured in a competitive event since withdrawing from the T-Mobile Match Play, with it reported that Zhang will miss the Chevron Championship due to an ongoing neck injury
By Matt Cradock
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock
-
'His Game Is Futureproof' - Padraig Harrington Predicts Talk Of Rory McIlroy Winning '10 To 15 Majors'
The three-time Major winner had nothing but praise for his fellow Ryder Cup player, with Harrington envisaging that McIlroy could carry on at the highest level for a good few years
By Matt Cradock
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final Round
DeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'He Won't Stop Striving For Improvement' - Sports Psychologist Believes Rory McIlroy Has The 'Mindset, Focus And Drive' To Carry On Excellent Start To 2025 Season
We spoke to experienced Sports Psychologist, Gareth Shaw, about McIlroy's incredible Masters win and how the five-time Major can push on even further in 2025
By Matt Cradock
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Win More Popular Than Tiger Woods In 2019 As Incredible TV Ratings Released
McIlroy's role as golf's primary needle-mover continued on Sunday as the Northern Irishman's fifth Major attracted an awful lot of eyeballs in the USA...
By Jonny Leighfield