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Well folks, if Rory McIlroy's candid comments after wrapping up his silver medal bid at the Paris Olympics didn't crystalize just how big of a deal these Games are in the golf world, I don't know what will! Our four-time major champ didn't hold back in telling reporters exactly how he feels about the "sh*t show" currently going down in pro golf these days. And lemme tell ya, I was living for the drama and sass in his responses.

As you all know, Rory is no stranger to speaking his mind about the ongoing money fights and division plaguing the PGA Tour vs LIV stuff. But hearing him call out the Olympics and Ryder Cup as basically the "purest" competitions we've got really drove the point home. I mean, when was the last time you saw a tournament where all the top guys are going at it for something other than massive paydays? Pretty much never. Except for these Games, apparently.

“I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, pure competition, and I think this has the potential to be right up there with it,” McIlroy said. “I think with how much of a sh*tshow the game of golf is right now and you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don’t play for money in it. It speaks volumes for what’s important in sports and what’s important.”

Rory McIlroy of Team Ireland throws and catches his ball marker on the 18th green during the first round of the Olympic men's golf tournament at Le Golf National in Paris. (Kevin C Cox/Getty Images)

Even more deliciously shady, Rory pointed out the "sh*t show" nature of pro golf right now compared to the purity of competing for country over cash. SAVAGE. You just know that was a clear dig at a certain Saudi league trying to buy up all the stars. Gotta love how he didn't even need to name drop. We all knew exactly who and what he was throwing shade at!

It was also pretty touching to see the emotion from guys like Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, Jon Rahm and others about how much representing their home countries meant to them. Like Rahm literally said losing stung way worse than any regular Tour loss ever could. 

“I don’t remember the last time I played a tournament and I felt this,” Rahm said. “I don’t know what the word is because, you know, I not only feel like I let myself down but to just not get it done for the whole country of Spain, it’s a lot more painful than I would like it to be.” Rahm then added: “I think by losing today, I’m getting a much deeper appreciation of what this tournament means to me than if I had won any medal, right? I’m getting a taste of how much it really mattered.”

Same with Kim breaking down on the green - talks about how brutal the whole Olympic quali process was. You can tell this stuff is deeper than just another week's paycheck for these dudes.

“Then once the round finishes, everything is done and done,” Kim said. “I think the emotions that I’ve held in this year are coming out.”

Anyways, if Rory's comments and the insane excitement we saw from fans and players in Paris didn't have you more pumped for LA 2028, I don't know what will! Just hoping our boy Rors can go get that gold next time around. Maybe by then the professional golf "sh*tshow " will have sorted itself out too. Fingers crossed!