If Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion, had his way, the criteria for selecting golfers for the Olympics would change significantly.
As the men’s tournament at the Paris Olympics approaches, the Spanish professional golfer has put forward an alternative idea. Rahm believes each nation should be permitted to choose their own golfers for the Summer Games.
Currently, golfers are selected based on their positions in the world golf rankings. “There needs to be some guidelines,” Rahm stated to reporters. “But, like, Team USA Basketball is free to choose whoever they want.”
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Captain Jon Rahm, of Legion XIII GC, hits from the sixth tee during the final round of LIV Golf Miami at Trump National Doral, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Doral, Fla. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)
The Olympic qualification process gained attention earlier this year when several players from the LIV Golf circuit were not eligible for the Summer Games, as LIV tournaments are not recognized in the world rankings.
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Seven LIV players, including Rahm, did make it to France for this year’s Olympics. However, notable figures like Bryson DeChambeau, who secured the U.S. Open title in June, and fellow American Brooks Koepka were overlooked.
“I believe countries should have the freedom to decide who they want to send,” Rahm commented.
Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII warms up in the practice area during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational – Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 02, 2024, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Golf made its return to the Olympic Games prior to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
For over a century, the sport was absent from the Olympics until it was reintroduced more than eight years ago.
Jon Rahm of Spain tees off on the 14th hole during Day Four of the DP World Tour Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 19, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Currently, Olympic golf follows the standard 72-hole format, but Rahm is open to adding “some team aspect” to the competition.
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“It would be wonderful to share the spotlight with another player,” Rahm noted, “to introduce something different from what we usually do.”
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