Blame it on Rio: the Rory story heads for the rough

McIlroy could have given any number of excuses - but Zika fear doesn’t make sense

Rory McIlroy pulled out of the Rio Olympics last week Pic: Getty

Many called it bravery, as Rory McIlroy gritted his teeth and slapped his caddie’s hand at last month’s Irish Open at the K Club. Having let a lead slip and finding himself in a dogfight down the stretch, he went over water on the 18th from 252 yards and stopped within a yard for an eagle. It wasn’t the first time such a term has been used to describe his shot selection, and ...