McIlroy: 'I resent' having to choose between UK, Ireland Olympic loyalty

Rory McIlroy has done his best to steer clear of the question about whether he considers himself Irish or British, a sensitive issue for those who live in Ireland and Great Britain.

However, when the native of Northern Ireland was forced to decide between representing Ireland and Britain for the 2016 Olympics, McIlroy decided to play for Ireland. He ultimately withdrew form the competition citing concerns over the Zika virus in Rio, but felt uncomfortable about the process.

"All of a sudden it put me in a position where I had to question who I am? Who am I? Where am I from? Where do my loyalties lie? Who am I going to play for? Who do I not want to piss off the most. I started to resent it and I do," McIllroy told Paul Kimmage of the Sunday Independent.

When McIllroy won the 2011 United States Open for his first major, a fan threw an Irish flag at him, when the cameras returned the flag was nowhere to be seen.

"I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in, that's my feelings towards it, and whether that's right or wrong, it's how I feel."

Justin Rose of Britain would go on to win the gold medal, and the world No. 2 sent him a message congratulating him. Rose then sent him a reply asking if he regretted his decision to skip the games

"I said, 'Justin, if I had been on the podium (listening) to the Irish national anthem as that flag went up, or the British national anthem as that flag went up, I would have felt uncomfortable either way. I don't know the words to either of them. I don't feel a connection to either flag."

The four-time major winner also gave some insight into his relationship with Tiger Woods, whom he idolized growing up.

"I'm drawn to him. He's an intriguing character because you could spend two hours in his company and see four different sides to him. He's thoughtful. He's smart. He reads. He can't sleep so that's all he does - he reads stuff and educates himself on everything."