Padraig Harrington is set to realise his dream of being a golfing Olympian after Graeme McDowell became the last high profile name to withdraw from the Rio showpiece in August.
Hard on the heels of Rory McIlroy’s decision on Wednesday to pull out of the Games due to concerns over the Zika virus, McDowell, who was next in line to qualify for Team Ireland, announced that he would not be travelling to Brazil either, although his reason was down to the fact that his pregnant wife is expected to give birth around the same time as the Olympics.
Harrington, the 44-year-old Dubliner with three major titles to his name, is now poised to join up with countryman Shane Lowry in an event that will see golf return to the Olympic stage for the first time in 112 years.
Two years ago, while sitting down in 324th place in the world rankings, Harrington revealed his Olympic desires during the Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie.
“I don’t normally tell the media my goals, but I will this time and my aim is to return to the top 15 of the world by 2016 for the Olympics,” he said. “I’d just love to be an Olympic athlete, it would be very special.”
While he has not quite managed to haul himself back up into the upper echelons of the world rankings – he’s currently 167th – the Ryder Cup vice-captain’s quest has been aided by the withdrawals of those ahead of him.
Upon hearing the latest development, Harrington yesterday said: “Based on the current ranking points I am next in line for automatic selection to the Irish Olympic team. I will work very hard over the next few weeks to achieve this selection as it would be a huge honour for me to represent Ireland, having played an active role in golf's bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games programme."
McDowell has always stated that family affairs would come first in his Olympic decision. The 2010 US Open champion said: “I made the decision many months ago, before I was on the team, that I would not play or travel outside the US, where my family and I live, in the weeks running up to the birth.
“Unfortunately I will therefore not be available to replace Rory on the team. I have informed Paul McGinley and the Olympic Council of Ireland of my decision."
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