Rio on course for greatest show on earth

But for Rory McIlroy’s solo march to his second major at Kiawah Island, golf’s final grand event of the season, the USPGA, might have been shunted into the sidings by the medals and records, inspiration and heartache of the London Olympics.

It is, though, the last time, they will suffer such an indignity, for once London’s closing ceremony handed responsibility for the greatest sports show on earth over to Rio de Janeiro, golf officially became part of the Olympic family.

Along with rugby sevens, golf successfully applied in 2009 to be included on the International Olympic Committee’s roster of sports for the Rio 2016 Games. Yet while the world’s top players are relishing the opportunity to compete for gold medals and golf fans have the opportunity to join the party, the International Golf Federation, which successfully lobbied the IOC for their sport’s inclusion, still has plenty of work to do to ensure a smooth return to the programme after an absence of 112 years.