Harrington all in for golf’s Olympic debut

6:19 PM ET

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Padraig Harrington was among the players who lobbied the International Olympic Committee when it was making a decision back in 2009 to give golf a place in the Games.

At the time, Harrington, now 45, was one of the top-ranked players in the world. He had won three major championships in two years, including the 2008 PGA Championship.

Seven years later, Harrington would not have expected to make it to Rio de Janeiro in a few weeks’ time. He is ranked 150th in the world, and only two players per country — if not among the top 15 — are eligible.

But with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell all electing to skip the Olympic golf tournament that begins on Aug. 11, Harrington’s name came up for Ireland (which combines Northern Ireland and Ireland for the Olympics).

And he plans to take advantage of the situation.

Harrington said that his entire family will be joining him and that they will stay for a second week after the men’s competition is complete on Aug. 14.

“I think so much of the Olympics, I’m going to take a week’s holiday …

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