Rory McIlroy tells journalist 'none of your business' where he was ahead of Olympics

Rory McIlroy told a reporter it was "none of your business" why he was teeing it up on the famous Old Course at St Andrews just three days before the start of the Olympic Golf Tournament at Le Golf National in Paris.

McIlroy, 35, rocked up at the Home of Golf on Monday to the surprise of many, including us here at GolfMagic as we were also on site at the time.

The Ulsterman returned to the course following a week's holiday in Portugal with his family.

During The Open, McIlroy claimed he had not been on a vacation for 'four to five years'.

As McIlroy went innocently about his business at St Andrews on Monday, word soon got round that McIlroy was in town.

Hundreds of spectators flocked to the Old Course to see McIlroy play the iconic last hole. 

One loud American heckler from Miami wanted to let McIlroy know just how much Florida loves him.

McIlroy currently resides in Jupiter, Florida.

He looked over, waved and then cupped his hands around his mouth to shout: 'You're not going to love us next year'.

McIlroy's words drew cheers and laughter from the gallery situated around the green.

The Northern Irishman was of course referring to the highly-anticipated 2025 Ryder Cup match at Bethpage Black in New York where Luke Donald's Europe will look to defend their title against Keegan Bradley's USA. 

Some 24 hours ater, a reporter pressed McIlroy as to why he was at St Andrews instead of at Le Golf National on Monday.

McIlroy told him to keep his nose out. 

"Yeah, none of your business why I was there but it's always nice to play St. Andrews," said McIlroy.

"It was good. I wasn't expecting quite the crowd on the last few holes that we got but yeah, it was good.

"That was the first game of golf I've had since Troon. I thought at least one game of golf before I got here was probably beneficial."

McIlroy is making his first appearance this week since missing the cut at The 152nd Open two weeks ago at Royal Troon.

He missed the cut by the mile and was then usurped as World No.2 by Open champion Xander Schauffele, who defends his gold medal this week.

McIlroy will again represent Ireland at the Olympics. 

He is joined by his pal Shane Lowry, who was the flag bearer at last week's opening ceremony on the River Seine. 

McIlroy said the decision to favour Ireland over Great Britain was because he has also represented the nation during his amateur days. 

The 26-time PGA Tour winner admits he would desperately like to win an Olympic gold medal this week.

Though he admits the Olympics is still someway off the four majors at The Masters, the US PGA, the US Open and The Open. 

McIlroy reignited a LIV Golf war on the eve of the Olympics with a brutal response as to why LIV Golf players are not competing in Paris.