Olympic Golf: (Some) "Powers-That-Be-Whiffed"

Two stories this week help crystalize the odd state of Olympic golf less than 100 days away. There are still male players like Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth who are expressing enthusiasm and most female golfers making clear it's a big deal to them. This, as others are dropping out over scheduling and Zika concerns.

The New York Times' Karen Crouse got Adam Scott to admit that his decision might have been different had the schedule been better rearranged this year.

Golf’s ruling bodies had seven years to smooth over the ruffled feathers of sponsors or tournament officials whose events could have been sacrificed this year for the greater good of the game. They also could have fought for a mixed-gender event, which Scott said “would have been a great platform,” or a team format at the Olympics. Instead they took the path of least resistance, a stroke-play event that guaranteed a maximum star presence and a minimum overall impact.

The powers-that-be whiffed. And because they would not make the tough calls, the players are left to wrestle with the difficult decision on whether to opt out of the Olympics.

But as Marika Washchyshyn writes for Golf, the women's side has a very different view, with not a single player declaring themselves out in spite of the health scare that , but also because the LPGA Tour schedule cleared the way for an Olympic break.

Washchyshyn says players are certainly concerned about the Zika issue, but are waiting to see how it plays out. But as for scheduling...

The apathy or reluctance among some of the male players is understandable. The PGA Tour will play two of its four majors in the weeks leading up to Rio, and the FedEx Cup playoffs –- with a $10 million bonus payout -– in the weeks immediately following it. The women, on the other hand, have a three-week respite around the Olympics, which the LPGA tour requested.

“It seemed right to take a break for those players,” Whan said. “If they are playing [the Olympics], they’re not falling back in the world rankings or the official money list.”

Surely many will point out that the LPGA can afford to take three weeks off because they don't have as many sponsors or television networks unwilling to bend because of the NFL. A counter to that view: the various world tours could have put the WGC events on ice in an Olympic year to help matters. Or perhaps there was no give from either side with regard to scheduling, providing playing opportunities and the big business of tournament golf. Even though just about anyone could see the issue coming.

Nice irony though: the "grow the game" push of the Olympics, which would have the benefit of potentially grabbing more dollars for all involved at the top, is facing possible harm by very short-term greed.