Olympic opportunity knocks for Pádraig Harrington after Graeme McDowell turns down chance

Pádraig Harrington insists “it would be a huge honour” to represent Ireland in Rio after Graeme McDowell turned down the chance to step in for world No 4 Rory McIlroy in Ireland’s continuing game of Olympic musical chairs.

With four-time major winner McIlroy making himself unavailable because he fears contracting the Zika virus, McDowell was next in line to join world No 25, Shane Lowry, in Brazil.

However, McDowell has also turned down the trip as his wants to be near his wife Kristin, who is due give birth to the couple’s second child shortly after the Games, on August 25.