It’s a Rio deal for Padraig
Paul McGinley reckons Padra ig Ha r r ington’s Olympic call-up has given the three- time Major winner a new lease of life.
Harrington tore it up at Castle Stuart last week and declared he’s playing as well as ever after a tough eight years since his last Major crown at the 2008 USPGA.
Two years ago, despite having just plunged out of the wor l d top 3 0 0 , Harrington set a target of qual ifying to represent Ireland at the Rio Olympics.
Now he’s set to achieve that goal – albeit thanks to the withdrawals of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry due to fears about the Zika virus.
McGinley, who is nonplaying captain of the side, reckons Harrington is bursting with enthusiasm.
He said: “While Padraig is not winning Majors at the moment, he’s a huge addition to the team.
“Padraig is going to come back a better person for it and with a lot more respect for other people and how they go about their business.
“And the Irish team will benefit a lot from having Padraig around.
“It’s good for the heart and the soul to be involved with so many other athletes for whom their sport is the most important thing.
“When you listen to them and watch them train and you see the pureness of what they do – golfers can only benefit from that.
“It will stand them in good stead when they return to the golfing environment, having experienced how other people approach other sports and bouncing ideas off trainers and other experts who will be in Rio.”
Paul McGinley is the captain of the Ballantine’s Golf Club, the world’s first online golf club, offering unique online content and exclusive opportunities for members. To join, v isit Ballantinesgolfclub.com