SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Padraig Harrington was among the players who lobbied the International Olympic Committee when it was making a decision back in 2009 to give golf a place in the Games.At the time, Harrington, now 44, was one of the top-ranked players in the world. He had won three major championships in two years, including the 2008 PGA Championship.Seven years later, Harrington would not have expected to make it to Rio de Janeiro in a few weeks time. He is ranked 150th in the world, and only two players per country -- if not among the top 15 -- are eligible.But with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell all electing to skip the Olympic golf tournament that begins on Aug. 11, Harringtons name came up for Ireland (which combines Northern Ireland and Ireland for the Olympics).And he plans to take advantage of the situation.Harrington said that his entire family will be joining him, and that they will stay for a second week after the mens competition is complete on Aug. 14.I think so much of the Olympics, Im going to take a weeks holiday and go to a number of events, Harrington said after shooting a 5-under-par 65 prior to the suspension of the third round of the PGA Championship. Its an opportunity of a lifetime to really have a great weeks holiday the second week.The first week will be all business, but hopefully the second week well have a good week, and hopefully Ill do enough this week and next week to get myself up in the FedEx points.Harrington plans to play the Travelers Championship outside of Hartford this coming week, then head to Rio de Janeiro on the Sunday night following the final round. He then looks to practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in advance of the first round. He will be joined by Irelands Seamus Power.And Harrington is serious about taking in other sports.Table tennis, gymnastics, diving, velodrome, boxing; Im sure Im missing out on one or two, he said. Im trying to do two things a day the second week.And he might even take in some of the womens Olympic golf tournament, which begins on Aug. 17 at the same venue.If one of the Irish girls was doing well (Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow), Id definitely go back 100 percent, Harrington said. Id be interested in that. In general, Im looking to see the sports I dont know, that I dont know much about. The likes of the velodrome and the cycling looks like it would be great fun to go do that.Obviously the boxing, were looking for more than one medal in the boxing. From an Irish perspective, I think thats our best chance of winning.Harrington said he has never met the other Irish golfer, Power, who has qualified, but he plans to call him in advance and will be rooting for him to succeed.Very much so, Harrington said. Id be hoping that the two of us have a chance coming down the last nine holes, and at that stage, its all for yourself. But up until that point, Id be delighted if the two of us are 5 shots clear of the field on Sunday. Thats the way you look at these things.If we were in a playoff to win, it would be ... Carolina Hurricanes Store . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Stitched Hurricanes Jerseys . LUCIE, Fla. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. LUBBOCK, Texas -- Tommy Hamilton IV has signed a national letter of intent with Texas Tech after playing 92 games the past three seasons in his hometown for DePaul.The Red Raiders announced Tuesday the addition of Hamilton, a 6-foot-11 center from Chicago. Hamilton will be able to practice with the Red Raiders and new coach Chris Beard but will have to sit out the upcoming season because of NCAA transfer rules.ddddddddddddHamilton will be able to play as a senior for Texas Tech in 2017-18.He averaged 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds a game for DePaul, where he started 58 games. ' ' '