McGinley: Take the pressure off Rory

Last updated: 3rd February 2013

Paul McGinley believes it's unfair to expect Rory McIlroy to have to choose who he represents in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The 2014 Ryder Cup captain says he agrees with Graeme McDowell's call for the IOC or some other body to take the decision out of the hands of the players, helping them to resolve an emotional issue without having to disappoint anyone.

As things stand now, McIlroy must decide whether to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland or Ireland in the upcoming Olympics, a decision that has left him so conflicted that he has hinted he might skip the Games altogether.

"All I can say is that unless something is done I really don't think Rory will play in the Olympics, which would be a huge shame not only for the sport but the Olympics themselves," McGinley told the Daily Mail.

"I'm one of those people who doesn't think sport and politics mix and we can all see that Rory has a real problem here. I agree with G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) who said that someone from the International Olympic Committee or a similar body should come forward and make the decision for him. As things stand, Rory is being asked to offend someone and that's not right, he's not that sort of guy. He shouldn't be placed in that situation."

McGinley also spoke about his Ryder Cup captaincy recently, and said his biggest concern was that his enthusiasm for the competition would result in him overdoing it.

It is a danger that I'll over-captain," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"As much my exuberance and excitement is great I have to be careful not to over-communicate with the guys, not to bombard them with my thoughts. It's hard, though as I'm bursting with ideas.

"I don't want to always be in the media with 'McGinley plans this, McGinley plans that'. We've got a template; we've won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups. If it ain't broke, it doesn't need completely overhauling."

McGinley also reckons that one's history in the competition as a player does not necessarily mean anything when it comes to leading the side.

"What I felt like screaming was show me the correlation between great players and great captains. Go on, where's the historical evidence - the argument doesn't hold up. Now I'm not saying Tom Watson won't be a great captain. But I am saying that 'great player equals great captain' is not a given," he added.