IT’S BEEN A bumpy journey but Pádraig Harrington and Seamus Power have finally been confirmed as the male golfers who will represent Ireland at the Rio Olympics.
World number four Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry (27th) decided against playing in Brazil due to concerns over the Zika virus, while Graeme McDowell ruled himself out as his wife Kristin is due to give birth to their second child.
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Next in line are three-time major winner Harrington (148th) and 29-year-old Waterford man Power (290th), who plays his golf on the Web.com Tour, the second tier in the United States.
Paul Dunne, currently ranked 365th in the world, would have been next in line for the Games.
Cavan native Leona Maguire, the second highest ranked amateur in the world, is Ireland’s sole female golfer going to Rio, but Stephanie Meadow has made the reserves list and could yet qualify if there are sufficient withdrawals.
The qualification period for the Olympics ended yesterday and among the men listed for the Rio event are major winners Bubba Watson, Danny Willett and Justin Rose.
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Harrington, Power and Maguire to represent Ireland in Rio
Updated at 21.30
IT’S BEEN A bumpy journey but Pádraig Harrington and Seamus Power have finally been confirmed as the male golfers who will represent Ireland at the Rio Olympics.
World number four Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry (27th) decided against playing in Brazil due to concerns over the Zika virus, while Graeme McDowell ruled himself out as his wife Kristin is due to give birth to their second child.
Next in line are three-time major winner Harrington (148th) and 29-year-old Waterford man Power (290th), who plays his golf on the Web.com Tour, the second tier in the United States.
Paul Dunne, currently ranked 365th in the world, would have been next in line for the Games.
Cavan native Leona Maguire, the second highest ranked amateur in the world, is Ireland’s sole female golfer going to Rio, but Stephanie Meadow has made the reserves list and could yet qualify if there are sufficient withdrawals.
The qualification period for the Olympics ended yesterday and among the men listed for the Rio event are major winners Bubba Watson, Danny Willett and Justin Rose.
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None of the world’s top 4 golfers will be in Rio as Spieth the next big name to pull out
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