If your Irish ?

He is a millionaire, he has a stunning girlfriend, he is hugely popular oh and he is, currently, the best golfer in the world! You would think there is no better person in the world to be than Rory McIlroy?

Well tonight I feel for him and have nothing but sympathy for him.

Rory is facing the ultimate Kobayashi Maru scenario.

Northern Ireland is a country with in the United Kingdom, if you were born there you carry a British passport, therefore you are British ?

If you are a professional football (soccer) player you will play football for Northern Ireland, simple eh?

Well if you play rugby you actually play for Ireland as Northern Ireland rugby is controlled by Ireland National Rugby, in laymen’s terms they play as one united island.

You following me so far ?

Golfing Union of Ireland works the same way as rugby does, one body for the entire island, Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland.

As a body they are responsible for all golf in both countries, including youth development.

In the last golf world cup Ireland was represented by two Northern Irishmen, Rory McIroy and Graeme McDowell.

Ok so now have you got it?

In golfing terms Rory is Irish, in political terms, and Olympic terms, he is British, clear ?

Now, for the record, I was and I am, opposed to golf in the Olympics, but I feel the same about tennis and soccer.

Unless you come from Northern Ireland I don’t think you realise what a time bomb this situation is!

Even now during “peace” Northern Ireland is a powder keg.

If Rory chooses Ireland the loyalists will turn on him, if he chooses GB&NI the republicans will turn on him, Rory is in the ultimate no win situation.

This is a unique situation and, quite frankly, beyond the comprehension of anyone who has not had first hand dealings with Northern Ireland.

What we need is for the IOC to sit down with the R&A and come up with a soloution.
I want the decision taken out of Rory’s and Graeme hands.

And I mean that with the greatest respect to both.

What the IOC needs to do is simply state that they either represent the Golfing Union of Ireland or GB&NI.

In my opinion it should be a golfing decision, not a political one.

The GUI is responsible for Irish golf, even if you are from Northern Ireland in golf terms you are Irish.

Please don’t let the pressure rise on players, we need an IOC ruling sooner rather than later.

Easiest solution?