PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON ADMITS he would prefer to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio next month rather than add a fourth Major title to his CV.
The 44-year-old played a key role in the International Golf Federation’s bid to have golf reinstated as an Olympic sport and he has made no secret of his desire to represent Ireland at the Games.
Speaking ahead of the US PGA Championship, Harrington concedes his outlook might be sacrilegious among his fellow professionals but he dreams of winning gold.
“To be honest, if someone was offering me this major or an Olympic gold medal, I think winning the Olympic gold medal would add more to my career,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“It would be great to win this one and the Olympics. If I was to pick one, an Olympic gold medal is something different and for the vast majority of the population of this world, it would certainly be a bigger achievement to win a gold medal than it would be a major tournament.”
“I’m going down there to try and win. No doubt about it, I believe I can win.”
The 2008 PGA Champion was selected on Ireland’s two-man team following the withdrawal of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell.
World number 297 Seamus Power joins Harrington in the 60-man field as golf returns to the games for the first time in 112 years.
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