Rory McIlroy’s controversial decision over whether to play for Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland in the next Olympics could be out of his hands.

It seems the golfer from County Down won’t have to choose which country he represents in Rio de Janeiro come 2016 due to a regulation.

 

The regulation could determine who he represents in 2016.

According to The Independent the Royal and Ancient Golf Club has said that Rory might have to be play for Ireland.

Chief Executive Peter Dawson said: “I think because Rory’s history of playing for Ireland at amateur level and, I think at World Cup level, that there may be a regulation within the Olympic rules that would require him to stay with that.

“It’s quite ambiguous really but there is a rule that a player who has represented one nation at a previous world championships from certain countries, that carries with you.”

 

Rory is dating tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.

He added: “I would very much like to take this burden of choice away from the player if we can possibly do it because it’s not fair to him.”

Rory, who is number two in the world at the moment, even contemplated withdrawing from the Games because he didn’t want to make the decision.