McILROY WILL PLAY FOR IRELAND, NOT BRITAIN

IRELAND NAME McGINLEY TO BE GOLF 

TEAM LEADER AT 2016 OLYMPICS

FROM BBC SPORT.COM

Winning Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is set to join up again with world number one Rory McIlroy as Ireland golf team leader at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

McGinley was among the team leaders announced by the Olympic Council of Ireland this morning.
Holywood, Belfast player McIlroy, who starred in Europe's win over the US in September, has opted to represent Ireland instead of Great Britain in the Olympic Games.
McIlroy praised McGinley's leadership after the victory at Gleneagles.
"He has just been the most wonderful captain," said the four-times major winner.

In both the men's and women's event, the top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for selection, regardless of the number of players from a given country
Outside the top 15, players will be eligible based on world ranking with a maximum of two players from each country.
The competition will follow a 72-hole individual stroke-play format and, in the event of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole play-off will determine the medal winners.

"I think I speak on behalf of all the 12 players and say he couldn't have done anything else. He was fantastic," said McIlroy about McGinley's Ryder Cup captaincy
"From the first day we got here, the speeches that he gave, the videos he showed us, the people that he got in to talk to us, the imagery in the team room, it all tied in together.
"It was all part of the plan, all for the cause of trying to win this Ryder Cup, and he was meticulous in his planning. He left no stone unturned."
McIlroy is eligible to play for Ireland or Great Britain and at one stage said he might not participate to avoid offending anyone.
However, he ended speculation in June by announcing that he intends to play for Ireland.
"It's a decision I feel comfortable with and I'll be proud to represent Ireland in 2016," added McIlroy.
"I'm 100% sure it's the right decision for me and I hope people respect my decision."
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