Padraig Harrington stepped up for Ireland on Thursday after compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy ruled out playing in Rio when golf returns to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years. "It would be a huge honor for me to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games, having played an active role in golf’s bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games program," said Harrington, a three times major champion, in a statement. World number four McIlroy announced his withdrawal on Wednesday because of fears over the Zika virus which can cause birth defects.
