So How do the Players Qualify for the Olympics?

[ASEAN NOW Golf]

 

We all remember how Golf made a memorable return to the Olympics back in 2016, and once again it will be part of the Summer Games again this July in Tokyo.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the International Olympic Committee to postpone the entire 2020 Olympics to 2021, and while there is uncertainty about how many fans will be allowed to attend if any, the IOC is preparing to move forward with the competition this summer.

 

 

When it is played, both the men’s and women’s Olympic competitions will be 72-hole stroke-play tournaments held at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kasahata, Saitama, Japan, about 35 miles northwest of downtown Tokyo.

 

Kasumigaseki Country Club is one of Japan’s top golf courses and has played host to several major golfing events in its nearly 100-year history, including the Japan Open and the Asian Amateur Championship.

 

Offering panoramic views of the Mushahino Hills, this private golf course was renovated in 2016 in order to enhance its layout whilst still retaining the timeless elegance for which it had become famous.

 

Kasumigaseki Country Club

 

Who Can Play?

 

As was the case in Rio, the field in both events will consist of 60 players representing their respective home countries. The men’s competition will be held July 29-Aug. 1; the women’s Aug. 4-7, 2021.

 

The same qualification rules apply for both the men’s and women’s Olympics fields. The top 15 players in the Olympic Golf Rankings (which essentially mirror the Official World Golf Ranking for men and the Rolex Rankings for women) will be eligible for the Olympics up to a maximum of four golfers per country.

 

After the top 15, the field will be filled until getting to 60 golfers by going down the Olympic Golf Ranking, with the top two ranked players qualifying from any country that does not have two or more players from the top 15. The host country, Japan, is also guaranteed at least two golfers in the field.

 

Men’s Favorites

 

As of today, using current rankings would mean the two top Thai men who are Jazz Janewattananond (126) and Gunn Chareonkul (249) are unlikely to get to Tokyo.

 

Favorites must be the United States with Justin Thomas (2), Collin Morikawa (4)
Bryson DeChambeau (5), and Xander Schauffele (6).
 

Despite being the No. 1 ranked player in the world, and thus would qualify for the U.S. team, Dustin Johnson is not listed in the official Olympic Rankings, as in 2020 he said that he would not compete in the games.

 

At the end of the day expect a few more high-profile names to drop out as the concern for player safety may take a precedent.

 

Women’s Favorities

 

Favorites for the Women’s medals would be South Korea with Jin Young Ko (1)
Inbee Park (2), Sei Young Kim (3) and Hyo-Joo Kim (8). The United States would also field a strong team with Nelly Korda (4), Danielle Kang (6), Lexi Thompson (7)
and Jessica Korda (13).

 

Former World No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand

Meanwhile the Thai women’s team could be a good outside bet with Major winner Patty Tavatanakit (12) and back in form and former World No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn (21) likely to make the team with sister Moriya Jutanugarn (37) and Jasmine Suwannapura (83) next in line.

 

So let us know who do you think will win the medals this time?

 

Whoever wins it will be a career high and also nice to have a medal and not a cup to add to your trophy cabinet.