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 44, 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.