Patriotic PGA pros cheers golf`s Olympic recommendation

Chaska: Players competing at the 91st PGA Championship cheered the decision by the International

Olympic Committee to recommend that golf be included in the 2016 Olympics. The sport moved one step closer to making an Olympic return since last seen in 1904 and the majority of those canvassed yesterday said they would compete for their respective countries if given a chance. "It is only once every four years, so in time it could become the premier event in golf," said reigning PGA Championship champ Padraig Harrington said. "I think in 100 years the Olympics could be the fifth major. Obviously it has to grow into that." Nothing is official as final approval requires a majority vote by the full International Olympic Committee in October. But golf, along with rugby sevens, passed the first stage yesterday by being recommended by the IOC`s 15-member executive board. The final decision takes place October 9 in Copenhagen when the IOC assembly votes on the matter. The assembly can decide to take one or both sports in or reject them outright. But players who spoke yesterday at the 91st PGA Championship like the idea. "If I`m lucky enough to be on Team GB or whatever, it would be great," said Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.” "I can see this being great for golf. So I`m very happy. Hopefully it will grow the game and get more people to play the game." When the idea first came up, McIlroy said he was hesitant to endorse it because he thought it might not be fair to the traditional Olympic athletes. "At the start the idea of getting golf into the Olympics made me a little skeptical and apprehensive," he said. "But the more I think about it, the more it will be great for golf just to globalise the game and get countries like Russia and India and China recognised on a global stage." American Hunter Mahan said the idea of winning a gold medal thrills him. "It`s pretty exciting that you could win a gold medal in golf. It`s a pretty neat thing, to think that you could represent your country in the Olympics," Mahan said. "I don`t know what kind of format they`re going to use. The qualification system, I don`t know any of that. I think there`s a lot to be determined." Australian Robert Allenby said golf`s long history and the Olympics make it an ideal fit. "Let`s just think about it," Allenby said. "Golf is a sport and it`s been around for hundreds of years.” "And it should be in there. If you are going to put all these other sports in there, then why isn`t golf in there?” Golf has been in the Olympics twice, most recently in 1904 when Canada`s George Lyon won the gold medal. Bureau Report