Who could take over from McGinley as Olympic golf "boss"?

Paul McGinley

He's yet to confirm he won't be available to do the job in Tokyo in 2020 but it appears likely that Paul McGinley will be stepping aside as Ireland's Olympic golf team captain.

The Dubliner, 50, relished his role in Rio de Janeiro where Pádraig Harrington and Seamus Power joined Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow in flying the flag for Irish golf in the absence of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell.

According to our sources, McGinley won't be heading to Japan and with McIlroy also a non-runner given his comments in his fine Sunday Independent interview with Paul Kimmage, Ireland will be looking elsewhere for medal winners and leadership.

Should McGinley decide not to make himself available as the head of the golf squad, who could fill his boots?

Harrington would be an obvious candidate but it would be foolish to rule out the Dubliner, even if he will be approaching hs 49th birthday in 2020.

Des Smyth, Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane are all former  tour players with a flair for leadership and with the CGI also keen to improve its Team Ireland Golf Trust offering by consulting the professional ranks for ideas and support, any of those three could do the job.