( CNN ) -- The World Cup has provided a festival of football and color in Brazil , and its intoxicating nature has had an effect far away from the shores of the Copacabana . The action and fervor sparked by one of the biggest sporting events in the world has prompted Northern Ireland 's two-time major champion Rory McIlroy to turn his mind to another -- the Olympics . And as he stepped up his preparations ahead of the Irish Open in Cork , he decided to announce he 'll be representing Ireland at the Rio Olympics of 2016 . McIlroy had previously stated his intention to compete under the Great Britain and Northern Ireland banner when golf returns to the Games after 112 years . But confirming his change of heart at a press conference ahead of the Irish Open this week , he said Brazil 's hosting of the World Cup had provoked his declaration . `` I 've been thinking about it a lot , '' he told reporters at the Fota Island Resort . `` I feel like it 's the right decision for me . There 's no point in delaying it and letting it linger any longer . `` I do n't know whether it 's been because the World Cup has been in Brazil and I 've been thinking a couple of years down the line . `` I have also thought about all the times that I played as an amateur for Ireland and as a boy and everything so for me it 's the right decision to play for Ireland , so I 'm going to play for Ireland in 2016 . `` If you look at the ( Irish ) rugby players , you look at cricketers or hockey players ... they view Ireland as one , the same as we do in golf . `` So I do n't think there 's any point to change that or any point to go against that just because it 's a different event or it 's the Olympics . `` I was always very proud to put on the Irish uniform and play as an amateur and as a boy , and I would be very proud to do it again . '' McIlroy , from Holywood in County Down , played amateur golf on an all-island basis before he turned professional and is eligible to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland . The U.S. Open and U.S. PGA Championship winner received funding from the Golfing Union of Ireland before turning professional in 2007 . And he has represented Ireland twice in golf 's World Cup event , both times playing alongside compatriot Graeme McDowell -- the 2010 U.S. Open champion . When asked if an Olympic gold medal would rank as highly as a major championship he replied : `` Winning an Olympic medal is still is not as big as a major championship but it 's up there . `` The majors in our sport are the biggest and best prizes in the game . But as hopefully golf grows in the Olympics and becomes say bigger in four or five Games down the line then it might become bigger . '' Aside from the 2016 Olympics , McIlroy 's more immediate concern was getting his clubs back after they were lost in transit by United during his flight to Ireland . The world No . 6 tweeted on Tuesday : `` Hey @ united landed in Dublin yesterday morning from Newark and still no golf clubs ... Sort of need them this week ... Can someone help ! ? '' His plea sparked the airline into action and it promised McIlroy 's clubs would be delivered to the tournament venue on Wednesday . They were as good as their word and McIlroy posted a photo on Twitter saying : `` Re- @ united with my clubs ! '' McIlroy is in good form after his recent victory at the European Tour 's flagship event -- the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth -- and a top 25 finish at the U.S. Open last weekend . He has been paired with three-time major champion Padraig Harrington , from Ireland , for his first two rounds in Cork .
Rory McIlroy expressed interest to compete for Ireland at the Olympics of 2016 . The Northern Irishman had previously said he would represent Team GB in Brazil . Rory : ` ` I was thinking about all the times I have played for Ireland as a boy '' Golf star 's memories returned to him after they went missing in transit .