Rory McIlroy insists he will take his time over whether or not he should represent Ireland or Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics.

Golf will make its long-awaited return to the Olympic programme at the Games in Rio de Janeiro, and McIlroy from Northern Ireland has already been in the news several times over which colours he will wear in three years' time.

He initially hinted that he could turn out for Great Britain, but after copping a lot of flak on social media websites he revealed he is yet to make a decision and even suggested he could skip the event.

The two-time major champion, who turned out for Ireland in golf's World Cup in 2011, has admitted that he is yet to make up his mind.

"Rule 41 of the IOC states I still have a choice. They can't take it away from me," he told the Daily Express.

"If you play for a country then either change nationality or don't play for that country for three years, you still have a choice.

"I haven't played for anyone since the 2011 World Cup. Going into the Olympics that will be five years, so I'll still have a choice."

He added: "The more it's talked about, the more it's going to get blown up so I'd rather not talk about it until I have to decide what to do."

Golf 365