The International Golf Federation should modify the Olympic Golf Tournament’s qualifying requirements and format, according to LIV Golf star Jon Rahm.
The International Golf Federation has been urged by Jon Rahm to alter the Olympic Golf Tournament’s qualifying requirements and structure.
Before this week’s 2024 Olympic Golf Tournament at Le Golf National in Paris, Rahm, 29, expressed his emotions.
After winning his first LIV Golf championship in eleven attempts at LIV Golf UK last week, the Spaniard has just landed in France.
There are only 60 golfers who can qualify for the Olympic Games based on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Up to four golfers from a single nation may compete in the Olympics if they are among the top 15 players on the OWGR.
With Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark, Team USA is the only country with four players at the 2024 Olympic Golf Tournament.
The Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) include the top two eligible players from each nation after the top 15, provided that nation does not already have two or more players in the top 15.
Rahm and fellow LIV Golfer David Puig are the two players who represent Spain.
It’s a 72-hole individual strokeplay competition.
However, the former World No. 1 is not persuaded that the existing qualification process is effective enough.
Rahm thinks that countries should be allowed to choose any players they want for their teams if the Olympics are to genuinely compete with the major leagues.
Additionally, he would like to see the Olympic Golf Tournament switch from an individual to a team format.
Rahm stated to journalists in Paris:
“I think it’s always possible to let the countries choose themselves, just like in other sports. In reference to the Olympic golf qualifying process, he stated, “There needs to be some guidelines, but like Team USA Basketball has freedom to choose whoever they want.”
“I know there are unique circumstances, but I believe each nation should be allowed to select the players they wish to play with, and in the future, I would also like to see some team competition at the Olympics, correct?
We are, after all, here to represent Spain. Therefore, I would really love to be able to represent Spain as a partner or in some other capacity, whether it be through team sports or our joint play. Sharing the stage with another player and doing something different from what we might do every other day would be really pleasant.
Rahm is the fourth-best favorite to win the Olympic Golf Tournament, with odds of 12/1.
At 4/1, Scheffler is the favorite, just ahead of Schauffele, the reigning champion.
Another player who is favored to win the Olympics is Rory McIlroy.
Monday, during a practice round at St Andrews’ Old Course, McIlroy was captured on camera by GolfMagic.
On the 18th, McIlroy retaliated against a boisterous US heckler.
Ireland is being represented at the Games by the Northern Irishman.
He expressed his desire to win a gold medal for the first time in his career to BBC Sport NI, but he believes the Olympics are still not on the same level as the majors for one very important reason.
Leave a Reply