Don't scare him off!

Rory is thinking it through. 

After winning three out of his last four starts, including a 2^nd Major in imposing style, the game of golf and its governing bodies must be thanking their lucky stars for Rory Mcilroy. The 23 year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland, has been dominating the sport of late, but his impressive on course play has unfortunately been over shadowed by off course politics.

With golf’s inclusion into the Olympics in 2016, questions have arisen about who Rory will represent at the games. Whilst it seems obvious that he would be in GB colours, he does apparently have the option to play for Ireland if he so chooses. This has obviously started a frenzied debate with both sides pulling at the young stars arms to get him to their side. But, what should not be missed here is the big picture, it is obvious who he is representing, it’s golf.  

With his charm, superstar girlfriend, astounding talent and youth on his side, golf has a new bridge to reach out to those who previously couldn’t care less and there is no better place to do that then at the Olympics. But, if this debate continues there is a chance that he could be put off by the whole thing. Taking part would mean re-jigging his schedule (already a bit of a sore topic for him) and it is an issue which has received a lot of pessimism from the golfing community.

In a recent letter, posted on his twitter, Rory addressed these issues with tact but didn’t answer any of the questions. He did make it clear though that he hasn’t made a decision yet on whether he will take part at all, and him not being there would be the biggest blow of all. 

Courageous Hanson at KLM Open

Peter Hanson (Getty Images)

This past week, Peter Hanson warmed up for the Ryder Cup in the best way possible, with a hard fought win. Not only did he play some good golf, surpassing the four leaders at the beginning of the round to eventually win by two strokes, he did it all under an immense mental weight.

Not fighting for his tour card, or to get a breakthrough win, but something much more important, playing the tournament whilst his young son was in hospital in the US with a respiratory virus.

The Swede was close to pulling out of the tournament when the news first came through about his one year old sons illness on friday. However, after receiving some positive news about his son's condition he continued on, to take a win that demonstrated incredible mental fortitude that will stand him in good stead when he tees it up for Europe at the end of the month.

Congrats to Hanson and good things to his family and recovering son.  

Scottish golf revival

Richie Ramsay (-16) - Omega European Masters champion 2012 (Getty Images)

Big name Scottish players used to dominate the pro ranks but lately there has been a dip in Scots really challenging for titles. However, the last three weeks has highlighted what looks like to be a promising resurgence for Scots on tour. Two out of the last three tournaments have been won by players from the country that gave us this magnificent game. Paul Lawrie, who has been playing the best golf of his life recently, won the Johnnie Walker Championship two weeks ago on home soil, his second win in a season which has seen a personal revival which is great to see. Then, the following week, we had a back to back Scottish wins with Richie Ramsay winning the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, by an impressive four shot margin.  Then this past week at the KLM, Richie followed up his second tour win with a tied 2^nd on a leaderboard that also featured countryman Scot Jamieson just one place back.

Whether they are all being pulled along in the slipstream of Lawrie’s  resurgence or whether the depth in talent is finally showing through, its great to see the country that gave us the game getting back to the top of it.