Rory McIlroy admits not loving golf as much as he used to

Rory McIlroy still loves the good walk spoiled but admitted he needs a break every now and again.

The world number one golfer gave an in-depth interview with the Guardian in which he spoke honestly about his career. The from child prodigy has had a meteoric-like rise to the top of the sport. However, him being thrust into the spotlight at such an early age had an impact on his relationship with the sport. When asked if he still loved the game as much as he did when he was a child, he responded with a firm "no".

“Because when I was a kid, if I spent a day away from the game, I couldn’t wait to get back. Now I can’t wait for a week off."

He added that he still loves the sport and playing on the top courses in the world, but that love has dwindled over the years. He cited the pressures of playing at the pinnacle of the professional game as the main reason why he has lost some of that wide-eyed childlike passion for the game.

“I would be being dishonest if I said my love of the game was the same. I still love the game, I just don’t love it like when it was just pure joy to get on the golf course and play. Now, I can leave the clubs alone for a week and be totally fine. You need that because this can be an intense style of golf."

He acknowledged that he was extremely privileged to be playing the sport as a means of making of living, but explained that since it became his profession, it changed his attitude towards the sport.

“Look, I haven’t worked a day in my life. This isn’t work, this isn’t a job. This is just an intense environment that I play in and I never used to play in an intense environment. Sometimes it is just nice to get away from it for a while." “Back in the day when I was a kid I never wanted to get away from it. I still love the game, hitting balls, practising, just not quite as much as I used to. I love being in contention, I love winning tournaments. This is the only thing I am really competitive at because I know it is the one thing that I am really good at. If I lose or don’t play well I am disappointed. I will let anyone else win at a game of pool if it keeps them happy.”

Hat-tip to the Guardian