In the coming summer, the world’s finest golfers, 60 men and 60 women, will converge at Le Golf National’s Albatros Course for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Located just southwest of Paris and a stone’s throw away from the grand Palace of Versailles, Le Golf National is no stranger to global competitions, having hosted the prestigious 2018 Ryder Cup and the DP World Tour’s Open de France on 28 occasions. Golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016 marked a significant milestone after an absence of 112 years, and the upcoming event will only be the fifth set of medals awarded to men and the fourth to women.
The excitement surrounding the event hints at potential historic moments that could unfold during the two-week span in August 2024. One such prospect is New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who, if all goes well with the Olympic Golf Ranking over the next year, will have the chance to secure a medal in her third consecutive Olympics. In 2016, Ko clinched a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, finishing closely behind South Korea’s Inbee Park. Then, in the 2020 Games in Tokyo, she narrowly lost the silver medal playoff to Japan’s Mone Inami, both of them one shot behind Nelly Korda from the United States.
Ko, an accomplished 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour, has expressed her aspirations to play in Paris and complete her medal collection with a coveted gold. “Paris is probably going to be my last Olympics,” says the 26-year-old golfer. She recognizes the significance of potentially medaling in all three Olympics since the sport’s return to the Games after more than a century. Ko’s journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, becoming the youngest player to win an LPGA event at 15, claim a major title at 18, and reach the world No. 1 ranking at just 17.
The competition at Le Golf National’s Albatros Course, designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, is expected to be challenging. The men’s stroke-play event will be held from August 1st to 4th, 2024, followed by the women’s competition from August 7th to 10th.
Players qualify based on the Olympic Golf Rankings, derived from the Official World Golf Ranking. The top 15 men and top 15 women from around the globe earn eligibility to participate in the Games, with a cap of four players per country. After the top 15, each country can have a maximum of two eligible players who do not already have two or more players in the top 15.
At the moment, Lydia Ko ranks third behind Jin Young Ko of South Korea and Nelly Korda, the 2020 gold medalist, who is also seeking another shot at Olympic glory.
The Canadian women’s golf team would consist of Brooke Henderson and Maude-Aimee Leblanc, while the men’s team would be represented by Corey Conners and Nick Taylor based on current rankings.
In the men’s Olympic Golf Rankings, Scottie Scheffler, winner of the 2022 Masters Tournament and the 2023 PLAYERS Championship, leads the pack. It would be a debut Olympic appearance for Scheffler, and he could potentially be joined by fellow Americans Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa, both currently ranked in the top six.
Reigning gold medalist Xander Schauffele is well-positioned to represent the United States once again, with more than a year remaining for the teams to be finalized before the Games.
World No. 2 Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, is also eager to make his Olympic debut in Paris after having to withdraw from the Tokyo Games due to a positive COVID test. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, currently second in the Olympic Rankings, had a hard-fought battle for the bronze medal in Tokyo, eventually claimed by C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei. Despite missing out, McIlroy’s Olympic experience has left a lasting impact, and he’s determined to strive for a medal in Paris.
The Olympic spirit has taken hold of the players, as they eagerly look forward to the unique experience and the opportunity to compete on the world’s stage for their countries. With historic potential, intense competition, and a prestigious venue, golf’s return to the Olympics promises to be an exhilarating spectacle and a showcase of athletic excellence.
