Rory McIlroy Roasts Team USA Following Question About Length of Rough at Olympics

The No. 3 player in the world gave the Americans a subtle jab when asked about the rough length at Le Golf National.

Jul 17, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Rory McIlroy on the 12th green during practice rounds at the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports / Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy is on site at Le Golf National outside of Paris as he prepares to represent Ireland in the Olympic golf tournament that is set to get underway on Thursday.

After practicing at Le Golf National over the last couple days, which was the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup, McIlroy was asked on Tuesday about the length of the rough this week compared to six years ago, when Team Europe routed Team USA 17.5 to 10.5 to win the signature biennial event.

McIlroy didn't miss a beat while taking a subtle jab at USA.

"Ask the Americans," McIlroy quipped. "I wasn't in [the rough] much that week."

Rory McIlroy on how the rough will play this week at Le Golf National in comparison with the 2018 Ryder Cup: "Ask the Americans. I wasn't in it much that week."

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) July 30, 2024

McIlroy is looking to capture a medal for Ireland after a rough major championship season that saw him once again come very close to snapping his 10-year major title drought after a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open.

However, despite a missed cut at The Open Championship earlier in July, McIlroy has been in good form in 2024, giving him an opportunity alongside fellow Irishman Shane Lowry to capture a medal in Paris this weekend.