Spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic golf events were extremely limited.
With fewer than 60 spots available per gender, competition was fierce. For countries with many talented golfers, it was even harder due to Olympic rules allowing a maximum of four golfers from any nation within the top-15 rankings and only two outside that.
Qualification spanned two years, with players earning points from recognized tour events. The final rankings were set on June 17.
Challenges for LIV Golf League Players
The LIV Golf League couldn’t offer OWGR points in its tournaments. This made it tough for its players to maintain or improve their world rankings and qualify for the Olympics. Bryson DeChambeau accepted missing out on the USA’s squad, but Carlos Ortiz criticized the process, blaming “politics” for affecting careers.
“It’s just the situation in golf right now,” Ortiz said. “It’s unfair . Especially at the Olympic Games, you want the best golfers here.”
Fans might think this whole situation is a bit messy and unfair.
Ortiz continued, “Some golfers should be here but can’t because of what’s happened.” He believes the Olympics should be neutral and not influenced by ranking points that no longer work properly.
Rory McIlroy, representing Ireland at the Olympics, argued there wasn’t a better way to choose who qualifies outside of educated selections by National Olympic Committees. He pointed out that LIV players had other ways to earn world-ranking points.
McIlroy said: “I don’t think there’s any other way to do [Olympic qualification] because it’s hard to compare the golf they play to ours.”
Canada’s Nick Taylor agreed with using OWGR as a reference point for qualifying. When asked if he thought changes should be made before LA 2028, Taylor responded: “Yeah, I don’t know what they would do if you’re referring to LIV guys.”
Taylor added that everyone knew what decision they were making when they joined LIV Golf and understood it might affect their eligibility.
In conclusion, Taylor will tee off alongside Byeong Hun An and Shane Lowry in rounds one and two starting Thursday at 5:44am ET (11:44am local) and Friday at 3:44am ET (9:44am local).
What do you think about these rules?
