Golf Locker Room

[Mick Mac]

McIlroy has put talk of who he would represent at the Rio Olympics on the backburner as he looks to continue his stunning run of form. The two-time major winner lifted the BMW Championship in Carmel on Sunday night - his second successive PGA title - but woke up to some stories about a supposed dispute over who he would turn out for when golf gains Olympic status in 2016. Quotes attributed to the County Down-born 23-year-old said he felt "more British than Irish", suggesting he would look to be a part of the all-conquering Team GB in Brazil. But McIlroy took to his official Twitter feed on Monday night to deliver a statement which said he had made no such decisions and was purely concentrating on golf. "I am in an extremely sensitive and difficult position and I conveyed as much in a recent newspaper interview," he wrote. "I am a proud product of Irish golf and the Golfing Union of Ireland. I am also a proud Ulsterman who grew up in Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. That is my background and always will be. "I receive great support from both Irish and British fans alike and it is greatly appreciated." Golf will be making its Games debut in Rio and although still some time away, a number of players have already been asked for their thoughts on it, but with a Ryder Cup less than three weeks away, world number one McIlroy is not entertaining talk of it, or of who he will be playing for when the time comes. "I wish to clarify I have absolutely not made a decision regarding my participation on the next Olympics," he added. "On a personal level, playing in the Olympics would be a huge honour. However, the Games in Rio are four years away and I certainly won't be making any decisions with regard to participation any time soon. "My focus right now is on being the best player I can be, trying to win major championships and contributing to what will hopefully be a victorious Ryder Cup side."

[Alan Medic]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> It's his choice. He is I think from a family of

> mixed religion, so no clear indication there and

> so he really is going to find it difficult to

> choose. I don't think his choice will actuallly

> upset anyone.

Of course it will. There are plenty of small minded idiots out there who will take offence whichever way he chooses. If he does feel more British than Irish then he should go for Team GB and ask to change it to its correct name, Team GB & NI.

>

> If he chooses GB he might get to play with Gmac,

> but more realistically 3 English players. If that

> is likely to happen he may be swayed towards

> Ireland, if Gmac does not get picked for GB.

Both he and GMac represented Ireland in the golf World Cup as a team. But like rugby, hockey & cricket, they have one team representing the whole 'country'. In Brazil it wont be a team event as such, though each country is limited in how many golfers they can enter.

http://golf.about.com/od/tourmajorevents/f/olympicformatfield.htm

The only certain golfers to gain entry are the top 15 in the World rankings. If there are two or more from GB & NI in that 15 they could all play. But if Gmac for example finished 16th and didn't qualify for the GB team he may well qualify for the Ireland team.

[red devil]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> The only certain golfers to gain entry are the top

> 15 in the World rankings. If there are two or more

> from GB & NI in that 15 they could all play. But

> if Gmac for example finished 16th and didn't

> qualify for the GB team he may well qualify for

> the Ireland team.

Hopefully they'll have to choose which country they wish to represent before rankings decide who can play, otherwise it'll just be seen as a flag of convenience...

[Mick Mac]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> The only certain golfers to gain entry are the top

> 15 in the World rankings. If there are two or more

> from GB & NI in that 15 they could all play. But

> if Gmac for example finished 16th and didn't

> qualify for the GB team he may well qualify for

> the Ireland team.

Yes - thats why I said he's more likely to end up in a team with 3 English payers, being Donald, Westwood and either Rose/Poulter if he goes the GB route.

I'm not sure he'd necessarily want that.

I'm a step ahead of you Declan, as usual. ;-)

I stick to my original view that I think he'll end up plumping for Ireland, unless his mate Gmac is likely to also make the GB team.

[Alan Medic]

But it's not a team event Frank so what difference does it make which team Gmac is in?

[Mick Mac]

"Team" GB is not a team event? I'm confused.

[Alan Medic]

Not when it comes to golf. There's only one gold medal. It's not the Ryder Cup Frank. Team GB is a bit of a misnomer when you consider members of the same 'team' compete against each other in some sports.

[Mick Mac]

if you add Spencer on to that, just once, you are in trouble Declan.

[Alan Medic]

Oooh Frank, what would Betty say?

[????]

oh yes. here we go again. Can't wait.....especially for MMs golf party

[Alan Medic]

My favourite golf event though I would like to see a sniper positioned on the course to shoot anyone who shouts 'in the hole'. It would add to the drama.

[????]

U S A....gets on my wick a bit too

[Mick Mac]

I am bearish on the outcome this year ? suggest USA 16 ? 12 Europe :(

The americans ? their 4 rookies comprise 2 major winners, one fedex winner and Duffner who won 2/3 times on the pga tour this year. Ouch.

[Mick Mac]

???? Wrote:

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> oh yes. here we go again. Can't

> wait.....especially for MMs golf party

It'll be Crazy.

[????]

Mick, Boyles is offering 3/1 on Europe if you open an account with them, that's amazing value...I presume it's capped!

[????]

Oh, just saw you're bearish on this

[????]

The major score is also something like 24-4 too

[Alan Medic]

Most of that is from Tiger who hasn't got a good RC record. I can't see anything other than a European win or possibly a draw.

When's the party Seamus?

[????]

Lefty, Bubba, Johnson and some more mr medic, tiger's only 15ish

[Alan Medic]

I played Bubba last night on Wii and he was all over the place. Shame the Yanks don't like a bit of rough. It's part of the game.

[????]

Decent start for Europe

[red devil]

Yep, the sooner we shut up the Uuuuu S A morons the better...

[????]

:(

[Mick Mac]

Great win for Rors and Gmac, great up and down on the 18th. Might be honours even after the morning, hopefully.

[Mick Mac]

We need the Westwood game to win. Can't see the 3 downs coming to anything. Bad day at office for Gmac hanson and Kaymar.