Never let it be said that the Golf Column isn’t ahead of the game but if proof were needed, we’re not too modest to toot our horn.

They may have finished out of the medals but two Irish golfers helped make golfing history over the past two weeks as the sport made its first appearance in an Olympic event for 110 years.

RORY McILROY arrived at the giant Mission Hills complex on Hainan Island to a welcome usually afforded a head of state.

Former French Open winner Michael Chang believes he could help the Chinese tennis team increase their chances of winning medals at the 2008 Olympics if he were more involved in the set-up.