Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Eight of the current best Olympic men's golf qualification battles

Written by 
Published in Golf
Wednesday, 26 July 2023 04:08

We are exactly a year away from the 2024 Summer Olympics.

That's a lot of golf – the FedExCup Playoffs, four more major championships, a handful of designated PGA Tour events and much, much more – so there is plenty of time for players to make moves and punch their tickets to Paris.

Here is a look at the eight best qualification battles for men's golf at the moment:

(Note: Countries are allowed up to two representatives, or up to four provided they are all ranked in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking; OWGR rank is listed in parentheses.)

U.S.

In qualifying position: Scottie Scheffler (1), Patrick Cantlay (4), Xander Schauffele (6), Max Homa (7)

In contention: Brian Harman (10), Wyndham Clark (11), Jordan Spieth (12), Brooks Koepka (14), Cameron Young (15)

The skinny: With nine players currently inside the top 15 of the world rankings, there is a ton of competition for those coveted four Team USA spots. Scheffler is probably already a mathematical lock, barring something crazy, though those other three spots are very much up for grabs. Cantlay and Schauffele have each gone almost a year without a win while Harman and Clark have vaulted into the conversation by winning majors this year. Koepka will have fewer opportunities than his countrymen considering LIV Golf still has not been given the go-ahead to offer OWGR points. Will Zalatoris could be a U.S. player to keep an eye on, as he's missed much of the year with a back injury but is still No. 18 in the world and set to return in the next couple months.

Great Britain

In qualifying position: Matt Fitzpatrick (9), Tyrrell Hatton (13)

In contention: Tommy Fleetwood (22), Justin Rose (33), Bob MacIntyre (53), Jordan Smith (83), Aaron Rai (96)

The skinny: There is a better chance that Fleetwood or Rose, the 2016 gold medalist, join Fitzpatrick and Hatton in the top 15 rather than pass them. However, there is also a non-zero chance that Fitzpatrick or Hatton or both of them withdraw like they did three years ago for Tokyo. MacIntyre is gaining momentum quickly after nearly winning the Scottish. Smith and Rai would need to get hot on the DP World Tour, but their odds of getting to Paris are slim unless there are some players who pass on their invites.

South Korea

In qualifying position: Tom Kim (17), Sungjae Im (27)

In contention: Si Woo Kim (37), K.H. Lee (54), Ben An (78), S.H. Kim (148), Bio Kim (212)

The skinny: At 21 years old, Tom Kim's star is still quickly rising. As for Im, he has now gone eight straight PGA Tour starts with nothing better than T-20. That could leave the door open for Si Woo, K.H. Lee or even Ben An, who used a T-3 finish at the Scottish to get into The Open, where he tied for 23rd.

Australia

In qualifying position: Cam Smith (8), Jason Day (21)

In contention: Adam Scott (39), Min Woo Lee (45), Cam Davis (56), Lucas Herbert (57), Marc Leishman (207)

The skinny: If LIV Golf doesn't receive OWGR recognition soon, Smith is going to start dropping faster. Day's resurgence has been one of the feel-good stories this year in golf. Scott has passed on both recent Olympics, 2016 and 2021. Lee, Davis and Herbert are all rising stars who could make runs in 2024.

Canada

In qualifying position: Corey Conners (30), Nick Taylor (44)

In contention: Adam Hadwin (55), Adam Svensson (67), Mackenzie Hughes (76), Taylor Pendrith (114), Ben Silverman (145)

The skinny: Canada is one of just three countries with at least seven players inside the top 150 of the world rankings. And none of those players are locks. Conners is just 25 spots ahead of Adam Hadwin, the first man out.

Sweden

In qualifying position: Alex Noren (63), Alexander Bjork (97)

In contention: David Lingmerth (99), Jens Dantorp (152), Sebastian Soderberg (155), Vincent Norrman (164), Henrik Stenson (178)

The skinny: Noren is 41 years old and has just two top-10s on the PGA Tour this calendar year. Bjork has had a strong year on the DP World Tour and is eighth in the Race To Dubai, so we could see him on the PGA Tour next season. Lingmerth has gone from almost outside the world top 700 during the last Olympics to inside the top 100. Norrman is fresh off his first career PGA Tour win while another young player, one who is not on this list, could also enter the picture soon – Ludvig Aberg (302).

Denmark

In qualifying position: Rasmus Hojgaard (94), Thorbjorn Olesen (98)

In contention: Nicolai Hojgaard (100), Marcus Helligkilde (229), Niklas Norgaard Moller (301)

The skinny: This one is really tight at the top with three players, including the Hojgaard twins, separated by six OWGR spots. Rasmus and Olesen have both won the DP World Tour this year, though Nicolai is playing the best at the moment – T-6 at Scottish, T-23 at The Open.

The bubble

Currently just in: 55. Phachara Khongwatmai, Thailand (255); 56. Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela (263); 57. Kalle Samooja, Finland (271); 58. Kristian Johannessen, Norway (278); 59. Fabrizio Zanotti, Paraguay (306); 60. Nicholas Echavarria, Colombia (322)

Currently just out: Bernd Wiesberger, Austria (330); Ricardo Gouveia, Portugal (356); Rafa Campos, Puerto Rico (364); Matthias Schwab, Austria (399); Lukas Nemecz, Austria (418)

The skinny: Several Austrians are knocking on the door to join Sepp Straka in Paris, though LIV Golf’s current OWGR status will limit Wiesberger’s opportunity to earn points – for now. There are also several players ranked higher than Echavarria and some other bubble guys currently in, but they are boxed out by the two-country limit. That group includes notables such as France’s Antoine Rozner (123), Japan’s Takumi Kanaya (127), Belgium’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart (250), China’s Haotong Li (260) and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (314).

Read 155 times

Soccer

Postecoglou: Spurs undecided on Werner future

Postecoglou: Spurs undecided on Werner future

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAnge Postecoglou said Tottenham are undecided whether to take up th...

Terzic unsurprised as Sancho dazzles for Dortmund

Terzic unsurprised as Sancho dazzles for Dortmund

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJadon Sancho gave a timely reminder of his talent in helping Boruss...

Superstars often leave Dortmund, but BVB inch toward Champions League final anyway

Superstars often leave Dortmund, but BVB inch toward Champions League final anyway

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDORTMUND, Germany -- Borussia Dortmund don't need a star to sparkle...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Ishbia says Suns in 'great position,' mum on Vogel

Ishbia says Suns in 'great position,' mum on Vogel

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Days after a first-round playoff sweep ended a disappoin...

NBA: Refs missed Maxey travel on 4-point play

NBA: Refs missed Maxey travel on 4-point play

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAccording to the NBA's Last Two Minute report from Game 5 of the in...

Baseball

Mets' Lindor exits early with flu-like symptoms

Mets' Lindor exits early with flu-like symptoms

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor left the New York Mets' game against t...

Cora touts roster flexibility as Yoshida latest to IL

Cora touts roster flexibility as Yoshida latest to IL

EmailPrintBOSTON -- Injuries continue to pile up for the Boston Red Sox as the team placed designate...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated