Pádraig Harrington relishing experience of Rio Olympics

For all the hand-wringing within golf surrounding the absenteeism from the Olympics of the highest ranked players in the men’s game, there are plenty of grateful replacements delighted to fly the flag for their sport and embrace the spirit of the Games in Rio this week.

None is more appreciative than Ireland’s three-time major champion Pádraig Harrington, who would rank an Olympic gold medal as highly as his 2008 PGA Championship win or either of his Open victories in 2007 and ‘08.

Listening to Harrington, 44, wax lyrical about his desire to become an Irish Olympian is a welcome antidote to the ongoing debate surrounding the withdrawal of the men’s top four in the world rankings and many more besides over concerns regarding security and the Zika virus.