When golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, most Irish fans watching will be asking the same question, "Who is Seamus Power?".
For a tiny island, we're pretty good at producing golf players. Since Padraig Harrington's maiden Open win at Carnoustie in 2007, players from this island have won nine of the majors. That's roughly one a year. But because of fears surrounding the Zika virus, and Mrs. McDowell is expecting - Ireland will be looking to Waterford-born Seamus Power to back up Padraig Harrington in the quest for medals.
By virtue of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Graeme McDowell all withdrawing, Power was the next Irish golfer up - by virtue of his superior world golf ranking to Paul Dunne.
Who Is Seamus Power?
29-year-old Power has been a golf professional since 2011 - after graduating from East Tennessee State university. The West Waterford product only earned his card for the Web.com tour last year year, and had is having is best ever year in 2016. In May he became the first Irish golfer to win on the second professional tour in America, and is currently ninth in the money rankings on the tour.
Should he finish in the top 75 for the year, he'll qualify for the season-ending three-tournament series where 50 PGA tour cards are on the line between the top 75 Web.com tour players, and the worst 75 players from the PGA tour.
If Power continues his upward trajectory, he could be a name that we hear more about in the professional tournaments. The Olympics will give him a new experience, playing with some of the biggest players in the world.
Unfortunately, his form hasn't been great in the last month. Power was very good in June, earning three top 11s before a 76th place finish lead to a slump in form. He missed the following three cuts in a row.
He comes into the Rio games after a 16th place finish at the Ellie Mae Classic at Stonebrae last week, with four rounds under 68.
He joins Padraig Harrington in the men's tournament that will begin next Thursday for four days. It will be just the first time you hear about Seamus Power, not much will be expected of him - but that might suit the 29-year-old.
