Harrington and Power were confirmed for selection on 14 July, three weeks after the withdrawal in quick succession of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Graeme McDowell (world ranked 4, 25, and 57 respectively). McIlroy and Lowry blamed the Zika epidemic while McDowell stated he wanted to be with his pregnant wife. McIlroy and McDowell are from Northern Ireland and there had been speculation in previous years about whether they would choose to represent Ireland or Great Britain, McDowell deciding in 2013 and McIlroy in 2014.