Graeme McDowell tees up in a former Olympic Games host city facing questions as to what flag he would compete under should he qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

McDowell is competing in a third straight World Cup of Golf under the Ireland flag and this year teaming with Shane Lowry for the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.

And with the question still uncertain as to what flag McDowell or Rory McIlroy would march behind at the Opening Ceremony should they qualify for the Rio de Janeiro, that was the last question McDowell thought he’d been facing in Australia’s sporting capital and the 1956 Games host city.

Graeme McDowell fooling around with fellow Northern Irishman as last year’s Ryder Cup. (Photo – Colum Watts/www.golffile.ie)

“It has been a pretty touchy subject for us Northern Irish players over the last few years as we are in a very unique scenario in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“We have sporting teams, teams that are all-Ireland teams, teams that are individual Northern Ireland teams, part of the UK, part of Great Britain, et cetera, et ecetera. So it is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory (McIlroy) have not really enjoyed answering questions about the last few years because it is very difficult to pick a side because you are going to end up upsetting someone from either side really.

“We grew up playing golf for Ireland.  Golf is an all-Ireland sport, kind of like Rugby and some of the other sports. We grew up wanting to wear the green jacket and have the golf bag with the Ireland logo on it.  The Golfing Union of Ireland looks after all the players in Ireland and I have always enjoyed being part of that.

“But when it comes to the Olympic discussion that raises some questions as to who we play for.  I was always very much trying to sit the fence, again, because I really did not want to have to make that decision. It is an unfair decision to put in the players hands because you are always, unfortunately, going to end up-setting  someone, whatever side you choose.

“Myself and Rory played twice for Ireland in this tournament and there was never any questions raised as to who we play for in this format, it was really just, like I say, an Irish team.

“I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, you know, with the Olympic regulations, will mean that I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016, if eligible and if fit enough, et cetera.

“So part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision. It certainly did not enter into my reasons to wanting to be here this week, as I wanted to be here and to play with Shane, around Royal Melbourne, in a golf tournament which I have always loved. And, like I say, it takes care of another very sensitive problem that I, myself, and Rory in particular, have not enjoyed talking about much the last couple of years and it is a tough one.

“It is a very unique scenario, unfortunately, and kind of a sensitive one.”

This year’s World Cup has been tweaked to mirror the likely format in Rio.

However McDowell and Lowry will compete 13 groups apart on the first two days and then could present the bizarre scenario of McDowell and Lowry fighting each other for victory in the now 72-hole stroke-play event.

“The new format is a little strange,” said World No. 2 Adam Scott who will team with fellow Australian Adam Scott.

“I kind of hoping I would be spending the four days playing alongside Jason Day as I thought that would be good for both of us but then this event is trying to find a new identity, I guess.

“So we are running with this new format this year ahead of taking it to the Olympics in 2016, so we will see how it pans out.”