Paul McGinley insists Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry’s loss in not competing in the Rio Olympics will be Padraig Harrington’s enormous gain.
McGinley, as the Irish Olympic Golf Captain, has publically expressed his disappointment in the withdrawal of McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Lowry.
And while McGinley is not about to question the decision of either there’s no hiding the bigger annoyance in what looked like a very strong Ireland opportunity to win a gold medal.
Harrington did deliver the Olympic Games movement some positive news in that he is taking his wife and family to Rio to not only represent Ireland but to spend the second week of the Olympics being present at as many events as possible.
And McGinley says that not only every Irish Olympian will benefit from Harrington’s presence in the Ireland Team but then it will
Paul McGinley with Y E Yang and Patrick Reed earlier this week at a Ballantines Golf Club function at Castle Stuart.
“One big important aspect for Ireland and the Olympics is that it will be really good for the heart and really good for the soul,” said McGinley at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
“To be involved and to be able to meet so many other Olympic athletes where the Olympics is the most important thing in their careers and in their sport, as I have already had the experience of being around Irish Olympic athletes going to Rio, and when you meet them and you listen to them and you watch them, and you see the pureness of what they do in another sport, golfers can only benefit from that.
“The Olympics will then be so good for when they get back into their own competition as having experienced first-hand what it is like having seen the top athletes in other sports as to how they went about preparing for the biggest moment in their own careers.
“Also, to be able to bounce ideas and discuss with other trainers and expects ideas and views in that Olympic Games cauldron to me is an opportunity that I am certainly looking forward to.
“That’s why I think we are very fortunate in Ireland, and for the Ireland Olympic Team to have a person like Padraig representing Ireland in the Rio Olympics.
“Of course, it is some years since Padraig won a third Major Championship but he’s going to be a huge addition to the Irish team.
“This is why it’s a shame for Rory and for Shane not to be present because I feel they both would have benefitted being around all those other athletes but they’ve both made their decision for personal reasons and that’s fine, and I respect that.
“But then Padraig’s going to represent Ireland in golf and he’s going to come back a better person for it. A better sportsperson for it and he will come back with a lot more respect for other sportspeople and how they go about their own business.
“As such, the Irish Olympic Team are going to learn a lot and benefit so much for having Padraig in their team.”
The men’s Olympic Golf competition, and the first in 112 years, tees up on August 10th.
