I think, by now, it’s fair to say that golfs impending return to the Olympics hasn’t gone as smoothly as its organizers might have hoped. Since players such as Padraig Harrington and Tiger Woods fought to bring it back after a 100-year absence, what started out as such a promising idea was quickly overshadowed by controversy and undermining comments.
It’s an event which seems to have received nothing but bad press and negativity over the last 2-months from both the world’s top players and the public at large, however there are still a number of reasons why the next four days could make for some dramatic viewing.
- It matters to the athletes who are playing.
Yes. A number of the world’s top players have pulled out including Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth. However, to those that are involved in this great event it presents an incredible opportunity.
Rory McIlroy might have dismissed golf at the Olympics in a moment of frustration, but that doesn’t mean the entire world should share his views. Many of the athletes playing will consider this to be the next biggest thing to a major championship, and they will be giving it their all to try and become Olympic medallists.
Padraig Harrington’s excitement over the last few weeks sums it up. They want to be there. This isn’t an insignificant event. This is about pride.
- It presents an opportunity for a great underdog story.
There is a real mix of talent in the fields this week for both the men’s and the women’s events. The final qualifier for the men’s event was José Filipe Lima of Portugal, the world number 405. Our very own Séamus Power, ranked 295 in the world was one of the last men to sneak through. This week provides a unique opportunity for these men to mix it with some of the world’s elite.
With 5 of the world’s top-10 players competing this week, the field is still incredibly strong so it would make for a real Cinderella story if an unknown golfer could step up to the mark and win gold here in Rio. It’s the sort of thing that could essentially put golf on the map as an Olympic sport.
- It could be a career defining moment for some of golfs more established names.
Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia. They are just two of the men in the field this week who are yet to win a major championship despite long careers at the top of the game. An Olympic gold medal might not be the claret jug or a green jacket, but it could potentially be the next best thing in terms of prestige.
Padraig Harrington is another man who isn’t taking this week lightly. Speaking back in June, Harrington said that although he might not be remembered any differently for winning a fourth major, winning an Olympic medal could only serve to enhance his legacy. Big words from a golfing legend.
- The scoring will be low. Incredibly low.
The typical golf spectator wants to see one thing on a golf course; birdies, and lots of them.
The way the Olympic golf course has been set up here in Rio, spectators won’t be disappointed with what they see. The wide set-up of the golf course makes it perfect for low scores so expect to see the world’s best at the top of their game.
The views around the course are also incredibly beautiful with a vast array of wildlife roaming around, so it’s really unlike anything fans will be used to seeing on the PGA or European tours. It really is going to make for some cracking entertainment.
