"Match play would have highlighted the Olympics’ now-or-never ethos."
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Add Alan Shipnuck to the list of people yawning at Rio 2016 Olympic golf because of the 72-hole stroke play format.
Match play would have highlighted the Olympics’ now-or-never ethos. Two-person teams would have emphasized the collective pursuit of representing one’s country instead of individual glory. But instead we are saddled with an unimaginative four-day slog. One of the PGA Tour’s most thoughtful players, Joe Ogilvie, spoke for many when he tweeted, “Olympic golf is doomed to fail if they maintain a 72 hole stroke play format. A team format is a must.”
**Scott Michaux says field size is preventing a quality team competition from happening.
Doubling the field size could include up to 50 percent more nations and 30 percent more of the world’s best players to spark the competition.
If the field were established based on the official world rankings after last month’s British Open, the current IGF proposed format would only include 23 of the top 50 players, 32 of the top 100 and players from 31 nations. None of the players would hail from Brazil and only six from South America and three from Africa.
By inviting 21 four-man national teams – with a minimum of two per continent plus an automatic team invitation to the host nation – and up to 36 more individual entries (maximum two per nation), a maximum field of 120 would have world-ranked players from at least 46 nations. It would include as many as 30 of the top 50 and 45 of the top 100.
This alternative proposal would include 21 golfers from South America, including national teams from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. At least eight players from each continent would be guaranteed a spot in the Olympics.
