The Belfast-born world number six golfer had been weighing the decision to either represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland or Ireland since golf was re-admitted into the Olympic movement by the International Olympic Committee in 2009.

Amateur golfers in both Northern Ireland and Ireland are governed by the Golfing Union of Ireland and McIlroy represented the single entity throughout his career before turning professional in 2007 at the age of 18.

With golf's first appearance in a Summer Games since 1904 now just two years away at Rio 2016, McIlroy, 25, revealed his decision on Wednesday during a press conference ahead of his appearance in the Irish Open, which begins Thursday at Fota Island Resort in Cork.

"I played junior and boys golf for Ireland, I played my amateur golf for Ireland, just because I'm getting paid that doesn't mean I should change that,” McIlroy said.

"I'm very happy with my decision and I'm looking forward now to the Olympics in a couple of years' time - if I qualify for the team.”

McIlroy said watching the current FIFA World Cup tournament, also being staged in Brazil, had prompted his decision.

"I just thought it was the right thing to do and the right time to let everyone know, and now I'm really looking forward to Rio.

"Obviously the World Cup is on in Brazil and it sort of gets you thinking. I've been thinking about it for a while but in saying that, no time like the present - the Irish Open, something big is happening in Brazil, and I thought, 'why not?'.

Speaking before playing in the Irish Open Pro-Am, and appropriately wearing a green polo shirt, McIlroy explained his decision-making process.

"When I actually sat down and thought about it, had a little time to myself, it was because as a boy, as an amateur, my ambition was always to play for Ireland - whether to play on the six-man team for the European Championships or the Home Internationals' 11-man team, that was always my goal.

"If you look at most of the other sports in this country - rugby being a main example - they see Ireland as one.

"And I have a lot of friends who play for Ulster who would say they're Northern Irish but are very proud to pull on the green jersey, as I will be in a couple of years' time.”