Ireland are in with a good chance of securing both men’s and women’s medals in golf at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, according to team leader Paul McGinley.
It was announced today that McGinley, the hugely successful captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning side this year, will lead the Irish golfers in 2016.
With Rory McIlroy ranked number one in the world, and Graeme McDowell 15th, Ireland would go into the competition as likely medallists if these positions were maintained.
Ireland also have an impressive prospective team member for the women’s competition in the form of Stephanie Meadow, the young Jordanstown golfer who burst on to the scene with a third-place finish in the US Open this year, and narrowly missed on earning a full LPGA Tour card last weekend.
Speaking about the event, McGinley sounded excited and optimistic, suggesting Ireland were in a good position to take medals in the competition, which is back in the Olympic schedule after a gap of over 100 years.
“It’s a new adventure for us, I have to say that, golf not having been in the Olympics before – well, not in our lifetime, anyway – so it’s a new adventure for me, a new adventure for the players,” McGinley told RTÉ Sport.
“A gold medal is a huge thing, as everybody knows. If we could carry the form that the players have now forward for two more years ... and bring it into the Olympics, that would be great.”
McGinley had signalled after the Ryder Cup that his time as a golfing manager might be an end, but he said he had been approached by the GUI’s Redmond O'Donoghue and asked whether he would consider leading the Olympic team. After discussing it with players, and finding them in favour of the idea, McGinley decided to go for it.
“I felt I had a lot of backing to do it; it was something I’d like to do. I’ve been fortunate to be involved in one of the biggest sporting events in the world, in the Ryder Cup, and now an opportunity to do another of the biggest events in the sporting world, the Olympics.
“Also, with the quality of teams that we’re going to have, men and ladies, I think we’ve got a great chance of hopefully delivering a medal.”
McGinley predicted that the course would be great, despite having had some teething problems in its development, and signalled his intent to repeat the fastidious preparation that served him so well in his Ryder Cup role, saying he would be travelling to Rio a number of times on a reconnaissance basis between now and the beginning of the Olympics.
He intends “to be a buffer between the player and the Olympics,” he said. “So that I can gather information and make it as easy as possible.”
McGinley has already spoken to Meadow, who, he said, was excited about the possibility of playing in Rio. He tips her as a player of great potential.
“I think we’ll have a good chance in the ladies, as well. I’m looking forward to working with her, and getting to know her as well. I’m going out to Florida a bit over the next few months, and I’ll make it my business to play golf with and get to know her, and bring her on board.”
Asked about how the Olympic prize would be viewed in a sport where the four Majors are traditionally the premier prizes, McGinley said that while it was not yet quite at that level, it had the potentially to become similarly treasured.
“Maybe in the future it might evolve to that [being on a par with Majors]. But it’s not far behind that.
“I think there’s a big question mark at the moment, but we’re looking forward to seeing how it goes, with a view to what happens four years later after that.
“But it’s the platform that the Olympics gives sportspeople. For Rory to play in arguably the biggest sporting occasion in the world, the Olympics, is a huge thrill for him. It’ll be for Graeme, and Shane, and Padraig, and whoever represents Ireland; and obviously the girls, as well, led by Stephanie.”
