Rory McIlroy Reveals Biggest Golf Ambitions With Olympic Medal Top Priority

Career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy has revealed several ambitions before retiring from the sport of golf.

The Northern Irishman has listed exactly what he wants to achieve and tick off before his career is said and done.

Rory McIlroy Reveals Biggest Career Ambitions Before Retirement

Rory McIlroy has revealed exactly what he wants to achieve between now and the end of his illustrious golfing career.

The five-time major champion has already won almost everything there is to win in the sport, including all four majors. McIlroy is one of just six players in golf history who has completed the career Grand Slam, having won the Masters, US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship.

Although the 36-year-old has nothing left to prove in the sport, he does still have plenty of ambition and will to win. Speaking ahead of the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic where he aims to clinch a fifth title, McIlroy revealed exactly what he still wants to achieve in golf between now and the day he calls it quits.

Rory on his biggest ambitions left in the game:

‘Olympic medal. Open at St Andrews. Yeah, maybe like a U.S. Open at one of those like old, traditional golf courses whether it's Shinnecock this year or Winged Foot or Pebble Beach, Merion.’

👀🔥🙌 pic.twitter.com/1EyvRma6hI

— RORY FANS (@rory_fans) January 21, 2026

When questioned on his remaining ambitions and what keeps the fire burning, McIlroy gave an honest assessment of what he still wants to achieve:

“Olympic medal. Open at St Andrews. Yeah, maybe like a U.S. Open at one of those like old, traditional golf courses whether it’s Shinnecock this year or Winged Foot or Pebble Beach, Merion,” revealed McIlroy.

It’s evident that McIlroy still has plenty left he wants to win before retiring from the sport. The reigning Masters champion will undoubtedly want to win at least one more Ryder Cup too, unlike some of his European teammates who might sacrifice their Ryder Cup eligibility if they continue to play at LIV and don’t pay their DP World Tour fines.

The Holywood man has won all there is to win in golf, but still feels has has something left to prove. More majors will only add to his already cemented legacy, as would an Olympic medal, which McIlroy has listed as a top priority.

Rory McIlroy has just THREE ambitions left in the game ⛳🎯 pic.twitter.com/vhqSKEZ7c7

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) January 28, 2025

McIlroy Lists Olympic Medal As Top Priority In List Of Ambitions

When asked of his remaining career ambitions ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy made it abundantly clear that he still has a lot he wants to achieve between now and when he decides to retire.

The career Grand Slam winner, who has welcomed Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return as a positive move for world golf, expressed his desire of wanting to win an Olympic medal before the end of his career.

This won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination. With the Olympic Games only every four years, this means the 36-year-old will have to hit top form and perform at the exact right time during the Olympics.

"I want to win all the majors" – @McIlroyRory

Young Rory McIlroy speaking to BBC Sport NI in 1998

🎥 @BBCArchive #BBCGolf ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/u6Dq044Kyu

— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) April 14, 2025

The next Olympics are in 2028, with Los Angeles in the US playing host. Golf will be a part of the Olympics for the third time, with McIlroy likely to represent Ireland alongside good friend Shane Lowry.

England’s Justin Rose won a gold medal in 2016 in Rio for Great Britain, with America’s Xander Schauffele winning gold at Tokyo 2020. World number one Scottie Scheffler captured golf in 2024 in Paris, with McIlroy firmly setting his sights on golf in LA in 2028.

The Northern Irishman didn’t mention what type of medal he wants, but a gold medal will undoubtedly be his main aim. If not, a silver or bronze medal will suffice.

The fact the five-time major champion listed winning an Olympic medal as his top priority just goes to show the prestige of the Olympics and how it’s held in such high regard, even in golf.

Should McIlroy realise his dream and win an Olympic medal, he would create history in becoming the first player of all time to win the career Grand Slam and an Olympic medal.