Here is a full list of the field for both events
The inclusion of golf in the Olympics has been a topic of debate since its return in 2016 after a 112-year hiatus. However, as the sport gears up for its third Olympic appearance in Paris, both players and fans are increasingly embracing its presence.
Rory McIlroy, who initially expressed skepticism about golf’s place in the Olympics, experienced a change of heart after narrowly missing out on a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021. “I made some comments before that were probably uneducated and impulsive,” McIlroy admitted. “But coming here, experiencing it, seeing, feeling everything that goes on, not just Olympic golf but just the Olympics in general, that sort of Olympic spirit’s definitely bitten me and I’m excited how this week’s turned out and excited for the future.” McIlroy will join 59 other golfers from 32 countries in the men’s competition from August 1-4 at Le Golf National, the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup. The women’s event will follow from August 7-10, featuring 60 golfers from 33 countries.
For those still adjusting to golf being part of the Olympics alongside traditional events like track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, here’s a guide to get you up to speed.
The Return of Golf to the Olympics
The journey to reinstating golf in the Olympics began more than three decades ago. Billy Payne, the future chairman of the Masters, proposed the inclusion of golf during the planning of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, suggesting Augusta National as the venue. Although this didn’t materialize, the idea gained traction and culminated in October 2009 when the International Olympic Committee voted to include golf in the 2016 Rio Games.
Golf was previously an Olympic sport in 1900 and 1904. The 1900 competition in Paris saw Charles Sands and Margaret Abbott from the United States winning gold in the men’s and women’s events, respectively. In 1904, the event was held at Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis, where Canada’s George Lyon won gold in the men’s individual event, and a team from the Western Golf Association of the U.S. claimed the team title. Although scheduled for the 1908 London Olympics, the tournament was canceled due to a format dispute between England and Scotland. Similarly, the 1920 Antwerp Olympics saw golf omitted due to insufficient entries.
The 2024 Venue: Le Golf National
The Albatros Course at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Paris, will host the 2024 Olympic golf competitions. Designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert von Hagge, this course has been a fixture on the DP World Tour, hosting the French Open since 1991 (with exceptions in 1999 and 2001). It also hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup, where Europe triumphed over the U.S. with a 17½-10½ victory.
Tournament Format and Qualifications
The Olympic golf competition consists of two separate 72-hole stroke-play tournaments—one for men and one for women. The player with the lowest score wins the gold medal, while silver and bronze go to the second and third place finishers, respectively. In case of ties, playoffs determine the medalists.
The field is predominantly composed of professional golfers, with qualification based on Olympic Rankings that mirror the Official World Golf Ranking for men and the Rolex Women’s Rankings for women. However, in 2016, three female amateurs qualified: Leona Maguire (Ireland), Albane Valenzuela (Switzerland), and Tiffany Chen (Chinese Taipei).
Participation of Top Players
Many of the world’s top golfers will be competing in Paris. The men’s field includes 14 of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, while the women’s event features 19 of the top 25 in the Rolex Rankings.
Qualification Criteria
To ensure a diverse representation of countries, no nation can have more than four golfers qualify for the Olympics, and only if they are all ranked in the top 15 globally. Otherwise, the top two ranked players from each country earn a spot in the tournament.
With its integration into the Olympics, golf is steadily establishing its place among the world’s most prestigious sports events, offering a unique blend of individual excellence and national pride.
