Padraig Harrington played his role in helping golf return to the Olympic Games. Picture courtesy randa.orgPadraig Harrington believes he’s doing Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell a favour by advising them to declare for Team Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics.

Clarifying the remarks he made in a TV interview to be broadcast on Setanta Ireland this weekend, the Dubliner reckons he’s giving the Northern Ireland pair the perfect “way out” of an emotive Britain v Ireland debate that could leave other Irish players “devastated” if they miss the boat to Rio de Janeiro.

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John Mulrooney in the locker room at Royal St George’s shortly after Darren Clarke’s Open victory.Darren Clarke has split with the caddie who helped him beak his major duck and lift the Open at Royal St George’s.

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Rory McIlroy shows of his powerfully built forearms in Abu Dhabi. Picture by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieIt seems like only yesterday that Rory McIlroy was watching Tiger Woods play in Dubai, dashing around the grounds of the Emirates Club with pal Harry Diamond like a couple of schoolboys after the final class of summer term.

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Padraig Harrington hits an iron on the final day of the Volvo Golf Champions. Photo by Carl Fourie www.golffile.ieThe door was open but Padraig Harrington failed to walk through it as he closed with a disappointing three over 76 to finish eight shots outside a play-off for the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa.

Having hauled himself back into the tournament on Saturday to trail the leaders by just three shots, the Dubliner had 34 putts in a poor closing effort in perfect weather conditions and had to settle for a share of 10th place behind Branden Grace, who saw off boyhood heroes Retief Goosen and Ernie Els in a play-off.

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Padraig Harrington in action during the third round of the Volvo Golf Champions. Photo by Carl Fourie www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington goes into the final round of the Volvo Golf Champions pursued by the tyranny of results but buoyed by the knowledge that he’s got a great chance to slay some particularly persistent demons.

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The 17th at Fancourt. Padraig Harrington blew a golden opportunity to challenge for his first European Tour win for more than 15 months when compounded mental errors at the 16th and 17th by racking up a double bogey at the par-five 18th for the second day running at the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa.

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Padraig Harrington played well on day one before taking a double bogey at the last. Photo by Luke Walker www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington played sublimely for 17 holes before falling victim to the thing he feared most in his first start of the season - mental error.

The Dubliner, desperate to climb into the world’s top 64 from a 12-year low of 89th so he can qualify for next month’s WGC-Accenture Match Play, was lying joint second in the Volvo Golf Champions when he racked up a double bogey seven at the 18th. (Scores)

All things considered, his four under par 69  on The Links at Fancourt was a laudable effort for a man who is under pressure to come out firing on all cylinders if he is to take his place in the field in Tucson and boost his chances of making the Ryder Cup team for the seventh time.

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Padraig Harrington in South Africa this week.Padraig Harrington might not have secured a renewal of his huge deal with FTI Consulting last month but he has not left the valuable space on the front of his cap blank.

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Darren Clarke during the final round of the 2011 Open in Sandwich. Picture Credit / Phil INGLIS / www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke’s Sandwich feast has made him vow to change from Mr Flabulous into Mr Fitness so he can add to his major haul.

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The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club will stage the Irish Open for the first time since Harry Bradshaw triumphed there in 1947.After an absence of almost 60 years, and following two hugely successful stagings of the championship at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, the Irish Open will return to Northern Ireland this summer when the classic links at Royal Portrush hosts the 2012 event from Thursday June 28 to Sunday July 1, writes the European Tour.

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Key people in Rory McIlroy’s life in 2011 - new girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki and new manager Conor Ridge. Pictured in Dubai on December 10 by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieAll eyes will be on Rory McIlroy in 2012 following his major breakthrough at the US Open. His eight-shot win at Congressional was one of the stories of the year but he also captured headlines for his activities off the course and none came bigger than his decision to sack manager Chubby Chandler and take on Conor Ridge at Horizon Sports Management.

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Darren Clarke shares a joke with Phil Mickelson at the Open Championship presentation. Picture Credit / Phil INGLIS / www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke’s magnificent Open Championship victory at Royal St George’s was arguably the highlight of the golfing summer. In the third instalment of our review of 2011, we look back at some of the most significant quotes this year. (Read Part I, Part II)

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US Open champion Rory McIlroy tweets a picture of his first major trophy before his press conference at Congressional Country Club on June 19. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieContinuing our review of Ireland’s great golfing year (Part I), it is worth remembering that while the game lost a great genius in Seve Ballesteros in May, it was celebrating the elevation of another rare talent to superstar status just a few weeks later.

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Four golf books reached me this year and one or all of them may make a useful addition to your library. All four are very different - a novel, a compendium, an annual and a travel guide - yet they are all well worth a few hours of your time.

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World No 3 Rory McIlroy is hotly fancied to become world No 1 next year. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieNow that Rory McIlroy has a major title on his mantelpiece, the bookies expect him to continue to rack up the wins and take over as world No 1. Of course, they haven’t forgotten about Tiger Woods.

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