A spate of high-profile withdrawals have afforded Seamus Power the opportunity to represent Ireland at Rio 2016. The Waterford golfer is relishing the prospect and has admitted to scepticism over the potential threat level posed by the Zika virus.
Power, who competes on the Web.com Tour, is poised to progress on to the main PGA Tour next season after a string of impressive performances this season, including a victory in the United Leasing and Finance Championship in Indiana at the start of May.
The withdrawal of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell from Olympic duty has seen Power catapulted into a role for Ireland alongside Padraig Harrington at the Games.
Having already competed in South America on a number of occasions over the last year, the 29-year-old has questioned the emphasis on the security and health concerns raised by his peers.
“I was surprised that there were so many guys pulling out,” Power told listeners on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On.
“It’s an opportunity that’s very different to pass up,” he insisted.
“You don’t know how long golf is going to be in the Olympics for.
“I’d love to see it staying but there’s no guarantee.
“Everyone’s got their reasons for doing different things and everyone’s got different priorities, but for me there were too many positives outweighing any negatives there might be.”
BREAKING NEWS ⛳⛳
— West Waterford Golf (@W_W_Golf) July 11, 2016
Congrats @Power4Seamus Rio here we come. So Proud 🏌⛳🏌#westwaterfordgolf #irish golf pic.twitter.com/oDHHqKLsGj
Power believes that the Olympic venues will be safe, with the caveat: “As long as you’re smart and you’re not going into places where you shouldn’t.
“There are places in Dublin that you wouldn’t go to at two o’clock in the morning, as well!”
Expanding on health risks and likelihood of contracting Zika, Power opined: “The Zika thing has been used, but we’ve been down here a bunch and it’s much more of a media thing than anything else.
“There is obviously a risk, but it’s such a tiny, tiny risk - especially in July, August - it’s the middle of winter down there.
“There’s practically going to be no mosquitoes in the whole country at that time of year, so that’s not an issue.”
With a place on the PGA Tour all but assured, Power is one golfer embracing the chance to go for gold in Rio.
“I’m looking forward to it for so many reasons,” he said.
“It’s going to be such a good experience, it’s going to be a chance for me to play with some of the top players in the world in a different situation, so when it comes to October, November - when the tour season starts - I’m going to be seeing a lot of the guys and know what to expect.
“It’s going to be such a different atmosphere.
“You don’t have the same pressures, the same money situation or anything like that.
“It’s just going to be about trying to play for a medal.
“Representing your country on a professional level, especially at the Olympics, it’s going to be something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”
