New Team Ireland ‘Leader’ Paul McGinley has tipped world number one Rory McIlroy to challenge for an Olympic medal at Rio 2016.

At the announcement of his appointment today, the Dubliner also admitted he is "going into the unknown" with the role despite his experience of captaining Europe to Ryder Cup glory.

McGinley said: “It’s very different. I’m going into the unknown. When I stepped up to the Rydar Cup captaincy I’d been a player three times and vie-captain twice so I knew what the role was and what the job would entail.”

He added: “My job (for Rio) is to make things as seamless as possible for the golf players.”

McGinely also revealed his research on the golf course for Rio to Oisin Langan at this morning’s press conference in the Westbury Hotel.