Waterford golfer Seamus Power is preparing to represent Ireland at the Olympics.
Along with Padraig Harrington and Leona Maguire, Power will make history by becoming Ireland's first Olympic golfers in over a century. The World number 290 is based in America where he plays on the Web.com Tour.
"In my position, to represent Ireland, at a level like the Olympics is something that is an experience I will never forget and it's something I'm really looking forward to", he told Newstalk Breakfast.
BREAKING NEWS ⛳⛳
Congrats @Power4Seamus Rio here we come. So Proud ðŸŒâ›³ðŸŒ#westwaterfordgolf #irish golf pic.twitter.com/oDHHqKLsGj— West Waterford Golf (@W_W_Golf) July 11, 2016
Despite going into the tournament as one of the lowest ranked players in the field, Power plans to play an attacking style of golf in Rio.
"There's a no lose situation. There's only four possibilities. You either win gold, silver, bronze or you dont win a medal. You might as well aim high. Fourth or 60th is not going to matter."
Power earned his place in Brazil after Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry all pulled out of the event. Despite their reasons for doing so, Power was delighted to get the call. "I can't really criticise anyone for pulling out. If they didn't I wouldn't be in. I'm over the moon about it."
The Waterford golfer has already played in South America on the Web.com Tour and he doesn't expect the Zika virus to be an issue for the 60-man field despite the numerous withdrawals.
"We played six or seven tournaments down there already. It's in the middle of winter for them. There will be pretty much no mosquitoes there. It's one of those things that has been overblown by the media... It's not something that concerns me at all."
It's official...will be off to Rio next month to represent Ireland in the Olympics. Never dreamed it possible....can't wait! #Rio2016
— Seamus Power (@Power4Seamus) July 11, 2016
"It would make more sense if people were worried about security issues. We were in Sao Paulo and it's not the safest place your going to be. Rio for the Olympics will be on a more dangerous scale. The Olympic Village, I imagine will be pretty well protected."
In what could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the golfer, Power told Newstalk Breakfast that he will plan to take in as much of the Olympic Games as possible.
"I'm going to try and get there for the Opening Ceremony. I'm trying to get the full experience. I'm going to remember it for the rest of my life so I'm going to try and get as many memories as I can from it."
"It's going to be a pretty proud moment and very overwhelming I'd imagine."
The men's tournament begins on August 11th
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