Graeme McDowell expects to play for Ireland at Olympics

Graeme McDowell: 'It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory have not really enjoyed answering questions about'

Graeme McDowell believes his decision to play the World Cup of Golf for Ireland in Melbourne this week indicates he is likely to make himself available for the same nation when golf returns to the Olympics in 2016. 

McDowell is entitled to choose between competing for Ireland or Great Britain at the Rio Games.

Like fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, McDowell has been reluctant to commit to either team due to the political ramifications of such a choice and has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide for him.

"It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory have not really enjoyed answering questions about the last few years because it is very difficult to pick a side because you are going to end up upsetting someone from either side really," McDowell, who teamed up with McIlroy at two previous World Cups, told reporters at Royal Melbourne golf club on Wednesday.

"From my point of view, when the World Cup came back on the schedule and it was coming to Royal Melbourne, I knew that I wanted to be part of this team, we have always represented Ireland when it has come to the World Cup.

"So I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, you know, with the Olympic regulations, will mean that I am - I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016... if good enough, if eligible, if fit enough, et cetera, et cetera." 

"I knew that I wanted to be part of this team, we have always represented Ireland when it has come to the World Cup," Graeme McDowell

Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson has expressed sympathy for McDowell's and McIlroy's dilemma, and said earlier this year that he hoped the burden of choice could be taken away from them.

He also suggested McIlroy's representation of Ireland at the World Cup could possibly preclude him from playing for Team GB at the Games when golf returns to the Olympic fold after a 112-year absence.

McDowell appeared confident the issue was settled.

"Part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision," added McDowell, who will team up with Shane Lowry at Royal Melbourne.

"It certainly did not enter into my reasons to wanting to be here this week. I wanted to be here and play with Shane, around Royal Melbourne, in a golf tournament which I have always loved."

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Grieving Jason Day fears for missing Filipino relatives

Jason Day is struggling to come to terms with the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan

Jason Day will play the World Cup of Golf this week with the heaviest of hearts after eight of the Australian's relatives were killed when Typhoon Haiyan pounded the Philippines earlier this month.

              

Battling to contain his emotions, Day, whose mother is of Filipino heritage, said a number of his relatives were still unaccounted for following the storm.

              

"I think most of you guys have seen what has been going on over there, it is very devastating and, you know, it is sad to see what has gone on," Day told reporters at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Wednesday.

              

"I know that there is aid over there now but just in certain parts it is hard to get communications to a lot of the parts over there in the Philippines.

              

"We are still trying to look for some more people, some more relatives, over there, so it is a tough situation right now and we really hope that, you know, everything kind of gets going in the direction that everyone wants it to go over there."

              

Day lost his maternal grandmother, an uncle and a number of cousins, local media reported, but hopes his participation at Royal Melbourne can shine a spotlight on the Philippines as the country battles to recover from the disaster.

              

The Philippines are represented at the World Cup by Angelo Que and Tony Lascuna, who were both relieved to have not lost any family members in the storm which has killed nearly 4,000 people and displaced four million, according to official estimates.

              

"I know that there are guys from the Philippines here and they have got a heavy heart right now for their people and... being half-Australian and half-Filipino... after something like that happened you kind of tend to bend towards that way," Day said when asked if he felt he was also playing for his mother's country this week.

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McDowell set for Ireland future

Graeme McDowell believes that he will compete for Ireland at the Olympics in 2016 after representing the country at the World Cup of Golf.

Graeme McDowell: Looking to compete at the 2016 Olympics

McDowell is from Northern Ireland so has the option to represent Ireland or Great Britain at the Games in Rio.

But by-law two of rule 41 of the Olympic Charter states that if an athlete has represented a country in a tournament recognised by the relevant international federation, in this case the International Golf Federation, then three years must pass before they can represent another at an Olympic Games.

That would mean that McDowell is now tied to Ireland for the 2016 Games, although such decisions can be changed if agreed upon by the relevant international federation, national Olympic committees and the International Olympic Committee Executive Board.

The 34-year-old, along with countryman Rory McIlroy, has always been coy on the subject of Olympic allegiance but, speaking ahead of the ISPS HANDA World Cup in Australia, McDowell expressed relief that the decision now seems to have been made for him.

"I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, with the Olympic regulations, mean that I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016," McDowell told www.pgatour.com.

"It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory have not really enjoyed answering questions about the last few years because it is very difficult to pick a side because you are going to end up upsetting someone from either side.

"We grew up wanting to wear the green jacket and have the golf bag with the Ireland logo on it.

"The Golf Union of Ireland looks after all the players in Ireland and I have always enjoyed being part of that.

"When it comes to the Olympic discussion, that raises some questions as to who we play for.

"I was always very much trying to sit on the fence, again, because I really did not want to have to make that decision so part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision."

Shane Lowry will play alongside McDowell in Melbourne this week but he was partnered with McIlroy in both 2009 and 2011.

The former US Open champion stated in May of this year, before the Ireland team for the World Cup had been decided, that the question of Olympic eligibility would not enter his mind when deciding whether to compete in Melbourne.

"The dilemma Rory and I face is a very unique one," he said.

"Regarding the World Cup of Golf this year for example, that if we played we'd then be compelled to play for Ireland in the Olympic Games; is that rule going to stand?

"I had an informal conversation with Rory last night about are we going to play the World Cup together, I need my partner in crime in Melbourne. I would love to do that and the Olympics will not enter my head with regards to making the decision of whether I'm going to play the World Cup.

"If it forces me into playing for Ireland at the Olympics, so be it."

McIlroy's decision not to play in Melbourne potentially leaves him still with a decision to make and the former world number one, also speaking in May, was adamant that it was still his choice to make.

"I think it's Rule 41 but I still have a choice. They can't take it away from me," McIlroy said.

"If you change country or don't play for that country for three years you still have a choice. I've not played for anyone since the World Cup in 2011, the Olympics would be five years so I still have a choice."

McIlroy has previously said he might simply not play in Rio to avoid upsetting people with his decision, and added: "The more it's talked about it's just going to get blown up. I would rather not talk about it until the time I have to decide what to do."

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Dyson to play in South Africa

Simon Dyson will return to European Tour action this week despite facing the possibility of a ban.

Simon Dyson: Could be banned after rules breach in China

The Yorkshireman has not played since his controversial disqualification from the BMW Masters in Shanghai last month.

With a disciplinary hearing to take place in December, he pulled out of the recent Turkish Airways Open but will feature in the South African Open at Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

Dyson was disqualified in China after signing for a card on which he had failed to add a two-stroke penalty.

The 35-year-old was punished for touching the line of a putt on the eighth hole of his second round, an offence which was spotted by television viewers.

Dyson insisted his actions were an accidental mistake but he was charged with a serious rules breach, for which the most severe punishment could be a ban.

He has decided to put that aside for now to compete in South Africa, where he will be among the early starters, teeing off alongside home hopefuls James Kamte and Allan Versveld at 7.10 on Thursday, local time.

Although the 2013 Race to Dubai was won by Henrik Stenson less than a week ago, the tournament is the first of the 2014 series.

Stenson won last year but will not be returning to defend his title due to a wrist injury.

A lot of the focus at Glendower Golf Club this week will instead be on the South African players who make up the majority of the field.

Former US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, the country's highest-ranked player at 22, has his sights set on taking the title for the first time.

The 29-year-old told reporters: "I want to win the SA Open, but I'm not going to put pressure on myself, that's unnecessary.

"If it doesn't happen now then I'll win it some other time.

"I know how to win but you can't get ahead of yourself. Being considered one of the favourites is a confidence boost and I can feed off others' confidence in me.

"I've prepared well and if I play well, then I know I can win."

The European Tour next week moves across South Africa to the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane for another event in which Dyson is entered.

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McDowell in confident mood

Graeme McDowell expects the cream to rise to the top during the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne and is feeling confident about Ireland's chances.

Shane Lowry (r) looks on as Graeme McDowell talks to the media

The Northern Irishman, who finished fourth in the Race to Dubai, is respectful of the Royal Melbourne course but thinks he and team-mate Shane Lowry will make it through to Sunday's play.

"You've really got to respect it. You really have to pay attention to what you're doing out there because the wrong shot on the wrong line and the wrong shape at any given moment can get you in all sorts of trouble," McDowell told the Herald Sun.

"I feel like it will bring the cream to the top, for sure. The top players will shine and the less experienced players will have a problem with this golf course.

"Shane and I are as good and experienced as anybody this week and, hopefully, we can be playing together late on Sunday afternoon.

"It's just a great track that requires a lot of strategy, a lot of positioning of iron play coming into these fast and firm undulating greens."

McDowell revealed he will approach the course in a slightly different way than would be expected.

He added: "You don't hit many drivers, maybe four or five max out there.

"Like a links golf course, the wind can change this course within the space of an hour, change the character of holes when the wind switches direction."

McDowell also hailed Australia's Adam Scott, who along with Matt Kuchar, is heavy favourite for individual honours at Royal Melbourne.

Scott, currently ranked number two in the world behind Tiger Woods, has won back-to-back tournaments - the Australian PGA and the Australian Masters, with the latter held at Royal Melbourne last week.

"Scotty's just one of those guys who you play with and think to yourself, 'Why is this guy not winning every week?' He's that impressive," McDowell said.

"I had the pleasure, or displeasure, of playing with him in the last round of the Open championship last year, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he developed into the player that he is.

"He has always been an awesome player."

The money focus at the event has shifted from team to individual honours, with US$7million (£4.3million) in prize money to be divided among the 60-man field, including US$1.2million (£740,000) going to the winner. In contrast, only US$1million (£620,000) has been allocated for the teams event, with money only being split between the top three teams.

Despite this, McDowell's focus is on team glory.

He said: "We're big on the team element. The World Cup will always be about the winning team and we're passionate about standing there as the winning team on Sunday night."

Meanwhile, Siddikur Rahman will make history when he tees off in Melbourne.

The 29-year-old will become the first Bangladeshi player to take part in the tournament, two weeks after claiming his second Asian Tour title when he won the Hero Indian Open.

"I'm really excited and I'm glad to play in this tournament. I'm proud with what I have achieved," Rahman said.

"I have received a lot of messages from my fans and friends on Facebook and emails and they are encouraging me to play well and it's good for me and good for golf in Bangladesh."

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Back injury sidelines Oosthuizen

Louis Oosthuizen will miss next week's Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek after having painkilling cortisone injections in his back.

Louis Oosthuizen: Suffering with a back problem

The South African has struggled with a lower back problem this year and missed two months of action after withdrawing from the Open Championship - a tournament he won in 2010.

A course of injections to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area has now ruled him out for 14 days.

"I was really excited to play in the tournament so it is very disappointing to miss out," the 31-year-old said in a statement.

"My back has been sore during the last few tournaments and it has been frustrating. I'm hopeful the injections will free up the problem and enable it to go away completely."

Oosthuizen, whose last victory came on home soil at the Volvo Golf Champions in January, aims to return at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December.

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South African Open - Round 1

Round 1 in Progress
Leaders
Player	Score	Hole
Anthony Wall	-3	5
Warren Abery	-3	5
Brandon Stone	-2	12
Teboho Sefatsa	-2	11
Chris Swanepoel	-2	11
Johan Carlsson	-2	11
Jean Hugo	-2	10
Simon Wakefield	-2	9
Christiaan Basson	-2	9
Simon Dyson	-2	8
Selected Others
Player	Score	Hole
Charl Schwartzel	-2	7
Jaco Van Zyl	-1	9
Scott Jamieson	-1	7
Darren Fichardt	Par	7
Alejandro Canizares	Par	7
Justin Walters	1	9
Ross Fisher	+
Hennie Otto	+
Paul Waring	+
Thomas Aiken	+

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Webb Simpson and Chesson Hadley praied by SKy Sports pundits

Spring in his step: Simpson can push on from Shriners win, says Denis

Denis Pugh says Webb Simpson's triumph at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open was welcome if not vital.

Simpson, 28, strolled to victory in Las Vegas on Sunday evening to earn his first win since lifting the US Open title at Olympic Club in 2012.

"Simpson won this tournament without playing 100 per cent as his driving wasn't great." 

Andrew Coltart

The American finished on 24-under-par at TPC at Summerlin, six strokes clear of countryman Jason Bohn and Japanese starlet Ryo Ishikawa, to prevail in the second event of the 2013/14 PGA Tour.

And Sky Sports pundit Pugh reckons Simpson - who will be aiming to make his second Ryder Cup appearance at Glenegales next September - can take plenty of positives from his success.

"This is not as big a deal for Webb as it was for Jimmy Walker at last week's Frys.com Open [Walker's maiden victory on the PGA Tour] because he has been in and won big events," said Pugh.

"But it puts his name second in the FedEx Cup standings so he will feel very good about that and this is another step in Webb's journey."

Lovely

Pugh's fellow analyst Andrew Coltart believes Simpson's strong mentality was key in him returning to the winners' enclosure, but the Scot was also impressed by Chesson Hadley, who claimed a share of fifth place in Vegas.

Hadley, 26, claimed the Web.com Tour Championship in 2013 en route to earning full playing rights on the PGA Tour and Coltart - a two-time winner on the European Tour - thinks the North Carolina-born star has a bright future.

"He won this tournament without playing 100 per cent as his driving wasn't great, but he played some lovely iron shots and kept his focus and composure," Coltart said of Simpson.

"Hadley, meanwhile, has got some big levers and a wide arc.

"He found out a lot about himself over the week and it was a great opportunity for him to play with the eventual winner [Simpson] so that will stand him in good stead."

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South African guide - LOWEST 20 AVERAGE POSITIONS in SOUTH AFRICA

For Co-Sanctioned European Tour events since Jan 1st, 2010

Average	Events	NO. of EVENTS
8.55:	Charl Schwartzel	(11)
19.43:	Retief Goosen	(7)
27.17:	Bjorn Akesson	(6)
28.36:	Garth Mulroy	(14)
31.53:	Thomas Aiken	(17)
35.27:	Jaco Van Zyl	(15)
35.79:	Tjaart Van Der Walt	(14)
36.47:	Darren Fichardt	(17)
36.50:	Hennie Otto	(14)
38.93:	Trevor Fisher	(15)
39.07:	Jbe Kruger	(15)
40.44:	Keith Horne	(16)
44.14:	Robert Rock	(14)
47.00:	Tim Sluiter	(6)
50.10:	Scott Jamieson	(10)
50.88:	James Kingston	(16)
53.00:	David Drysdale	(15)
53.33:	Gareth Maybin	(6)
53.60:	Magnus A Carlsson	(15)
53.82:	Allan Versfeld	(11)
Minimum Number of Events = 6

Glendower (Johannesburg): Par 72; 6,899 yards

Conclusion

There's a danger that Charl Schwartzel could win this easily but there are some other home South African players who may give him a run for his money.

Jaco van Zyl was last seen out closing with a pair of 68s to finish 21st in the HSBC Champions in China but it's his performances on his native soil that mark him down as a danger here.

Van Zyl has won three of his last four starts (the most recent in March) on the South African Sunshine Tour and seems particularly strong on inland courses such as this one.

His one start at Glendower produced a ninth place back in 2009 and since then he's racked up eight victories in South Africa so he's a much stronger player these days.

Take him at 33/1.

Secondly, Darren Fichardt looks a strong contender at 25/1.

He was 15th in Turkey (after sharing the first round lead) and 21st in Dubai last week while he was sixth on his last appearance on this course in 2011.

In this event he's had a second, a third, two fourths and two sixths (most recent last year) so he often shows up strongly in his home Open and can do so again.

Best bets

2pts e.w. Jaco van Zyl at 33/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)

2pts e.w. Darren Fichardt at 25/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)

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South African guide - Top-25 Finishers from Most Recent Co-Sanctioned event (not already listed)

Tshwane Open at Copperleaf (March 2013)

Dawie Van Der Walt:	(Won)
Louis De Jager:	(3rd)
Charl Coetzee:	(T-5th)
Vaughn Groenewald:	(T-10th)
Jake Roos:	(T-10th)
Romain Wattel:	(T-10th)
James Kamte:	(T-16th)
Jean Hugo:	(T-21st)
Joel Sjoholm:	(T-21st)
Graeme Storm:	(T-21st)

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South African guide - PLAYERS with POOR to MEDIOCRE RECENT FORM in SOUTH AFRICA

At Co-Sanctioned European Tour events since Nov 1st, 2012

(No Top-40 finishes from three or more starts)

Player:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Warren Abery:	MC	54	MC	-	MC	59	MC
Hendrik Buhrmann:	MC	-	-	-	MC	MC	MC
Sipho Bujela:	MC	-	MC	-	MC	MC	-
JG Claassen:	MC	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	Wd
Keenan Davidse:	-	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	MC
Christopher Doak:	-	-	-	-	MC	71	MC
Daniel Gaunt:	MC	-	-	-	MC	MC	75
Andrew Georgiou:	-	54	-	-	MC	MC	MC
Alex Haindl:	MC	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	MC
JB Hansen:	-	MC	44	-	MC	MC	-
Andreas Harto:	-	MC	MC	-	MC	49	-
Scott Henry:	-	MC	MC	-	50	MC	53
Alexander Levy:	-	MC	-	-	MC	71	MC
Gareth Maybin:	55	-	-	-	MC	MC	-
PH McIntrye:	MC	-	-	-	47	MC	MC
Titch Moore:	47	MC	MC	-	MC	75	MC
Grant Muller:	Ret	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	76
Lindani Ndwandwe:	MC	MC	MC	-	-	MC	MC
Neil Schietekat:	42	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	53
Atti Schwartzel:	MC	MC	-	-	MC	-	-
Teboho Sefatsa:	MC	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	Ret
Theunis Spangenberg:	61	MC	MC	-	MC	MC	MC
Ockie Strydom:	MC	MC	62	-	63	MC	MC
Toto Thimba:	MC	-	-	-	-	MC	MC
Ulrich Van Den Berg:	MC	MC	MC	-	55	49	Ret
Simon Wakefield:	-	54	44	-	MC	49	73
Mark Williams:	-	MC	MC	-	MC	78	69

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South African guide - PLAYERS with GOOD to REASONABLE RECENT FORM in SOUTH AFRICA

At Co-Sanctioned European Tour events since Nov 1st, 2012

Player:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Thomas Aiken:	3	MC	55	-	6	12	MC
Bjorn Akesson:	-	8	25	-	34	22	5
Oliver Bekker:	11	MC	47	-	65	22	21
Seve Benson:	-	21	-	-	MC	15	-
Desvonde Botes:	20	32	25	-	MC	5	10
Kristoffer Broberg:	-	54	2	-	MC	-	35
Magnus A Carlsson:	6	MC	18	-	-	42	63
Ruan De Smidt:	55	14	MC	-	MC	MC	21
David Drysdale:	55	MC	25	-	11	27	Ret
Darren Fichardt:	6	39	20	29	25	Won	2
Trevor Fisher:	13	21	MC	-	6	27	MC
Lorenzo Gagli:	-	54	20	-	9	17	-
Keith Horne:	MC	MC	7	-	6	32	35
Scott Jamieson:	-	Won	3	2	-	-	-
James Kingston:	20	21	MC	-	16	15	16
Morten Orum Madsen:	-	4	MC	-	MC	20	8
Garth Mulroy:	50	21	3	-	9	4	16
Hennie Otto:	9	MC	55	-	19	-	10
Charl Schwartzel:	5	-	Won	-	2	-	-
Lee Slattery:	-	-	-	-	19	27	-
Henrik Stenson:	Won	-	-	22	-	-	-
Andy Sullivan:	47	MC	3	-	60	5	MC
Tjaart Van Der Walt:	-	MC	20	-	38	5	58
Danie Van Tonder:	MC	-	15	-	19	32	58
Jaco Van Zyl:	33	8	47	-	11	2	Ret
Justin Walters:	MC	14	20	-	16	74	16
Steve Webster:	-	2	7	-	29	-	MC
Course Key:
1 - Serengeti (Ekurhuleni);
2 - Royal Durban*;
3 - Leopard Creek;
4 - Durban Country Club;
5 - Royal Johannesburg & Kensington;
6 - East London;
7 - Copperleaf (Centurion)
Note: * - Bad weather reduced tournament to 36 Holes

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