G-Mac signals he may ‘have to’ represent Ireland at Olympics

Graeme McDowell believes representing Ireland at this week’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne may mean he will “have to play” for the country at the Olympic Games in 2016.

McDowell and Rory McIlroy have been at the centre of an eligibility storm since it was confirmed golf will return to the global showpiece in Rio after a 112-year absence.

The Northern Ireland pair are also entitled to compete for Team GB (and Northern Ireland) at the Olympics but both are concerned by the implications of their decisions given the political and religious sensitivities involved.

“It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory 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,” said McDowell who competes for Ireland alongside Shane Lowry in Australia this week.

“Rory (McIlroy) and myself 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. From my point of view, when the World Cup came back on the schedule and it was coming to Royal Melbourne, I knew that I wanted to be part of this team, we have always represented Ireland when it has come to the World Cup.”

Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson expressed sympathy for the Antrim man’s dilemma, and said earlier this year he hoped the burden of choice could be taken off them.

He also suggested their representation of Ireland at the World Cup could possibly preclude them from playing for Team GB at the Games when golf returns to the Olympic fold in 2016.

McDowell appeared confident the issue was settled. “So I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, with the Olympic regulations, mean I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016, if eligible and if fit enough.

“Part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision,” added McDowell, who teamed up with McIlroy at two World Cups.

“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.”

Meanwhile local media reported that McIlroy was precluded from playing in Melbourne because of an exclusivity agreement signed with organisers of his season-ending Australian Open in Sydney next week.