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Padraig Harrington has welcomed the news that Rory McIlroy may have no choice but to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympics but he concedes it could prevent him from competing in Rio de Janeiro.
Both Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell face having to make a tough choice between representing Ireland or Great Britain in Brazil, but chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Peter Dawson has revealed that the decision may be taken out of their hands.
As both players have represented Ireland in the World Cup of Golf they may have no other choice than to play for Ireland at the 2016 games due to an existing Olympic regulation.
Harrington believes it would be a good thing to have the decision taken away from the players, but it could work against the Dubliner because of the qualification system for the Games.
“The way I look at it, this is a sensible move and good for the game of gold,” Harrington is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent. “If I was the ruling body, I’d make the same decision.
“It’s the right move to make but maybe not in my best interests.”
Only the world’s top 15 are guaranteed a place in the 60-man field with the remaining places going to players from countries that do not already have two qualified.
Harrington knows he will have to work hard to improve his current ranking of 53 but he is determined to ensure he is in with a shout of representing Ireland.
“The way things stand at the moment, I’d not get in the team. I’m determined not to let anybody else decide my fate, so I want to be in the top 15 in 2016 and again in 2020. That’s the goal.”
The R&A are expected to hold talks with the International Olympic Committee in the coming months to discuss several matters relating to golf’s return to the Olympic stage.
