Olympics Golf: The Official Discussion Thread (merged)

[cdnglf]

You have to be a a professional golfers within the top 60 in official world golf rankings to even qualify for the Olypics.

 

This is not correct.

[hdr_ric]

You have to be a a professional golfers within the top 60 in official world golf rankings to even qualify for the Olypics.

 

To the entry level golfer, its just another golf tournament on TV

 

HUH???

 

I wish it was really the top 60 in the world rankings. That would at least make a decent tournament.

 

However, that is NOT the case. They went with a "little league style everyone gets a participation trophy" qualification criteria rather than simply have the best golfers in the world. I think maybe 25 of the top 60 "qualified", the rest were disallowed because it wouldn't be "fair" to have too many golfers from one country. Of the 25 that qualified, I'd say around 10 or so said not thanks, Rio sucks.

[ozarkshooter]

By backing out of the competition, didn't Jordan, Rory, Dustin, Jason, etc. actually help grow the game of golf???

 

Since everyone agrees that the Olympics are not going to grow golf in many developed countries (US, Europe, Australia, etc.), then the real potential growth comes from some third world country. And, it will likely take a medal finish by someone from said third world country to garner the attention of their residents to light the fire and passion for golf.

 

So, if you pull out the best, highest ranked golfers, then those long-shot players actually have a better chance of medaling and driving golf in their country.

 

See, Jordan and Rory aren't that selfish after all!

[duffer987]

You have to be a a professional golfers within the top 60 in official world golf rankings to even qualify for the Olypics.

 

 

Found him folks! We now know which user ID Matt Kuchar is using on WRX :)

[bluerrpilot]

You have to be a a professional golfers within the top 60 in official world golf rankings to even qualify for the Olypics.

 

This is not correct.

 

My bad ...i think its the top 15.

 

I think you still neede to be on this list to qualify dont you? http://www.igfgolf.org/olympic-games/qualification-system/ogr-men/

[hdr_ric]

You have to be a a professional golfers within the top 60 in official world golf rankings to even qualify for the Olypics.

 

This is not correct.

 

My bad ...i think its the top 15.

 

I think you still neede to be on this list to qualify dont you? http://www.igfgolf.o...system/ogr-men/

 

That is a list of who actually did qualify (and didn't bag it) - those are the guys playing. For reference, #60 on that list, Jose-Filipe Lima, is ranked #398 in the world currently.

[bscinstnct]

http://www.nbcnews.c...lympics-n623186

 

 

More Than 1,000 U.S. Spies in Brazil Protecting Rio Olympics

 

 

 

"Hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel are already on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, according to an exclusive NBC News review of a highly classified report on U.S. intelligence efforts.

 

In addition, more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos from the U.S. Special Operations Command are in Brazil, working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy, according to senior military officials."

 

 

Wonder if TW is down there?

[MattyO1984]

http://www.nbcnews.c...lympics-n623186

 

 

More Than 1,000 U.S. Spies in Brazil Protecting Rio Olympics

 

 

 

"Hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel are already on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, according to an exclusive NBC News review of a highly classified report on U.S. intelligence efforts.

 

In addition, more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos from the U.S. Special Operations Command are in Brazil, working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy, according to senior military officials."

 

 

Wonder if TW is down there?

 

He's been assigned to the beaches of Rio! Tiger will have eyes on any female activity. The other 999 agents will be assigned to the males.

[Strike Force]

Three Olympic athletes have already been robbed. The latest is that Fire Marshals are calling for fire evacuations in buildings housing Olympic athletes and then stealing personal belongings. What a mess!

[2putttom]

Three Olympic athletes have already been robbed. The latest is that Fire Marshals are calling for fire evacuations in buildings housing Olympic athletes and then stealing personal belongings. What a mess!

[bscinstnct]

Three Olympic athletes have already been robbed. The latest is that Fire Marshals are calling for fire evacuations in buildings housing Olympic athletes and then stealing personal belongings. What a mess!

 

Yeah, these guys look scared

 

 

http://youtu.be/92P2mmpzZrk

 

USA!

[bscinstnct]

Rickie is on TV!

 

Says its,

 

"Pretty cool"

 

You could tell he was about to call Rory, Jordan and DJ "punks" but wanted to be nice.

[disco111]

Just watched the NBC interview with the President and after it was over, the NBC announcer stated that the golf will be on the golf channel..................so much for growing the game. Since I don't have cable and I'm sure I'm not alone, unless NBC decides to show golf on the regular channel, that everybody can get over the air antenna, their IMO saying golf is not all that important. :swoon:

[JaxBeachNole]

Go Rickie!

[widow-maker]

Go Rickie!

Whether you're for or against Olympic golf, that's a pretty cool moment for Rickie Fowler. It's one of those moments in sports that's hard to duplicate.

[aussiegolferer]

saw rickie's big head when america walked out

[drbonesvt]

While I'm truly rooting for my country part of me would like to see Sergio win it and parlay the momentum into a major

[jons1]

All i know is, the US is really kicky a** right now. We've already got one gold medal for airsoft BB guns... that's what I call representing. I'm hoping we win the one legged potato sack race too.

[ALTSean]

Is there a cut after two rounds? How will they break ties? For example, if three guys tie for third after 72 holes, do they have a bronze medal playoff? I'd ask Matt Kuchar, but ..... :)

[cvhookem63]

We are just a few days away. Here are the groupings and tee times for the first 2 rounds (Thursday and Friday)

 

[lopey986]

We are just a few days away. Here are the groupings and tee times for the first 2 rounds (Thursday and Friday)

 

 

Dang, USA has some tough matchups.

[cvhookem63]

We are just a few days away. Here are the groupings and tee times for the first 2 rounds (Thursday and Friday)

 

 

Dang, USA has some tough matchups.

 

I believe these are just their groupings of the guys they will be playing with. It is all individual stroke play just like a regular PGA tournament - so no head to head or match play. It looks like all of the US guys got grouped with other PGA players instead of the lesser known players from other countries.

[lopey986]

We are just a few days away. Here are the groupings and tee times for the first 2 rounds (Thursday and Friday)

 

 

Dang, USA has some tough matchups.

 

I believe these are just their groupings of the guys they will be playing with. It is all individual stroke play just like a regular PGA tournament - so no head to head or match play. It looks like all of the US guys got grouped with other PGA players instead of the lesser known players from other countries.

 

Oops, yeah. Call me Matt Kuchar because I didn't realize how that s*** worked.

[MarkFromTheUK]

May as well give Sir Henrik Stenson the gold medal now.

[KillerPenguin]

http://www.nbcnews.c...lympics-n623186

 

 

More Than 1,000 U.S. Spies in Brazil Protecting Rio Olympics

 

 

 

"Hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel are already on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, according to an exclusive NBC News review of a highly classified report on U.S. intelligence efforts.

 

In addition, more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos from the U.S. Special Operations Command are in Brazil, working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy, according to senior military officials."

 

 

Wonder if TW is down there?

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. OPSEC, it's a b*tch.

[KillerPenguin]

After looking at the pairings, the competition level isn't nearly as bad as I initially thought. I'm not saying it's going to be anywhere near a major, PLAYERS, or WGC, but (and I haven't done the rankings calculations), giving it the eyeball test, it doesn't seem that far off from a Valspar or a Colonial (minus the Spieth, of course). Definitely a few bigger names, several second level players, and lot of journeymen from various golf tours around the world. I know that ozarkshooter was being tongue in cheek, but having more golfers from third world countries with a small but growing middle class (India is what I was thinking of specifically and maybe you can add Thailand to that list) certainly doesn't hurt golf's (admittedly slim) chances of growing in the third world.

[hdr_ric]

After looking at the pairings, the competition level isn't nearly as bad as I initially thought. I'm not saying it's going to be anywhere near a major, PLAYERS, or WGC, but (and I haven't done the rankings calculations), giving it the eyeball test, it doesn't seem that far off from a Valspar or a Colonial (minus the Spieth, of course). Definitely a few bigger names, several second level players, and lot of journeymen from various golf tours around the world. I know that ozarkshooter was being tongue in cheek, but having more golfers from third world countries with a small but growing middle class (India is what I was thinking of specifically and maybe you can add Thailand to that list) certainly doesn't hurt golf's (admittedly slim) chances of growing in the third world.

 

minus the Spieth ...... and the other 90 players! Its only a 60 man field. Not having to beat 70-90 additional "journyman" pros, any of who could have a hot week and win, makes it a much weaker field.

 

However, the short field does improve the odds of a big name player winning, as well as the odds of a third world country feel-good story player winning - either of which is likely what the organizers and their TV executive masters would probably prefer.

[Baldy32]

What is with the bib color? Rickie gets orange, naturally...

[bscinstnct]

http://www.nbcnews.c...lympics-n623186

 

 

More Than 1,000 U.S. Spies in Brazil Protecting Rio Olympics

 

 

 

"Hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel are already on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, according to an exclusive NBC News review of a highly classified report on U.S. intelligence efforts.

 

In addition, more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos from the U.S. Special Operations Command are in Brazil, working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy, according to senior military officials."

 

 

Wonder if TW is down there?

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. OPSEC, it's a b*tch.

 

TW be like,

 

 

[cdnglf]

After looking at the pairings, the competition level isn't nearly as bad as I initially thought. I'm not saying it's going to be anywhere near a major, PLAYERS, or WGC, but (and I haven't done the rankings calculations), giving it the eyeball test, it doesn't seem that far off from a Valspar or a Colonial (minus the Spieth, of course). Definitely a few bigger names, several second level players, and lot of journeymen from various golf tours around the world. I know that ozarkshooter was being tongue in cheek, but having more golfers from third world countries with a small but growing middle class (India is what I was thinking of specifically and maybe you can add Thailand to that list) certainly doesn't hurt golf's (admittedly slim) chances of growing in the third world.

 

Its only 60 players. I can't find a count, but I doubt there's even 20 of the owgr top 50 in the field. And, of course, the top four all gave it a pass.

There are easily 50 tournaments in golf this year that are better than this one.