McGinley: McIlroy ready to drive Ireland
The four-time Major champion finally declared his intentions last June and McGinley, who was yesterday revealed as team leader for Ireland’s golfers in Rio de Janeiro, is excited about the talent Ireland will bring to the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood in two years time.
Like McGinley, McIlroy took in the Olympic Games two years ago in London. He even visited the athletes’ village and this year’s victorious Ryder Cup captain confirmed that the Holywood man will stay in the village at some point during the next event.
“Having spoken to Rory, and listened to him talking about it, he really embraces what this Olympics is about. He understands his role as the number one player in the world and the platform that he has to project the game of golf as the number one player.
“You’ll find that Rory is very up for this and understands. He’s very mature about the role that he has to play (as) the number one player in the world. And should Graeme (McDowell) be the number one player, he’d be exactly the same.”
As it stands, only McIlroy and McDowell would qualify as Ireland’s male representatives for the event, which will be held over four days like a regular individual tournament. Stephanie Meadows, ranked 105th, would make up the sum of the female challenge, as things stand.
McGinley was offered the role last month via a letter from Redmond O’Donoghue, chairman of the Confederation of Golf in Ireland, and spoke initially to McIlroy and McDowell who played under him at Gleneagles in September, who were “very animated” that he should he accept.
The 48-year old met with similar enthusiasm from his family who, he said, displayed greater excitement than they had when the Ryder Cup captaincy was first suggested. Meadows, too, was “very much engaged” with the Olympic idea.
Countries are allowed up to four competitors from the ranks of the world’s top 15. Beyond that it is a maximum of two from the leading 60, meaning Shane Lowry (44th) and Pádraig Harrington (260th) would need to fly up the ladder into the top 15 to ensure a third man in the team.
The 2016 British Open will act as the cut-off point in deciding who ultimately makes it and, though McGinley was ebullient about what the game’s reintroduction to the Olympic family means, he was honest when asked if a gold medal would mean as much as a Major to McIlroy.
“I think it’s different for different people. Listening to what Rory has to say, is it on a par with a Major championship at this stage in his career? Probably not. Maybe just below that. It may evolve that way over the years.
“I can’t speak for the other players on that, but all I know is this is the platform for arguably the biggest sporting event in the world, not alone for me to be involved in, but more importantly for players to be involved in.”
McGinley’s role, which is to be unpaid, will mirror that which he held for the Ryder Cup in Scotland and will again see him do everything from reconnaissance on the course to choosing uniforms and to logistical issues, such as flights and accommodation.
That side of things may be familiar yet, in another way, this is a step into the unknown for McGinley and the game in general. Yet he disputed the suggestion that his latest role will lack the team element that characterised his Ryder Cup success.
“There really is a team element, absolutely. We’re all out there wearing the same uniforms. We’ll be at the opening ceremony, we’re all going to stay in the Olympic Village.
“There’s a huge team element and I see that very much part, not just of the golf, but part of Team Ireland.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people like Katie Taylor and spending time with them, getting to know them, and meeting the other team leaders, too. And coming to Ireland regularly and being part of the Olympic spirit we have. This is a huge team element, more so I’d say than the Ryder Cup.”
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