Anirban Lahiri in the Olympic race

Feature by Anand Datla

June 03, 2015: Just over a year away from the deadline drawn by the International Golf Federation the race for Olympic qualification is about to heat up in the coming months. At one end of the spectrum are players pushing hard to make the cut, which is the top 60 players on the IGF ranking charts as at 16 July, 2016. And there are folks like Adam Scott who aren’t particularly excited about the trip to Rio. There are two Indians on the list, with a good chance of being at the Olympic Games next year – Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia.

Lahiri is currently lying 20th on the list, and if he can retain his current form and international schedule, could have a fair chance of making the trip. Chawrasia on the other hand is at 46th, and his flight to Brazil is far from booked.

Over the coming months, interest is bound to evolve, with several golfers wanting to hitch a ride for the Olympic experience, if nothing else. With only 60 spots on offer, it could mean that only golfers with a ranking inside the top 75 will have a meaningful chance next year, even considering injuries and withdrawals.

The highest ranked Asian currently is Hideki Matsuyama at 11th in the IGF ranking list. Thongchai Jaidee is lying 16th and is the next Asian behind Matsuyama. The Thai star has been in sizzling form recently, having finished inside the top 10 at two consecutive tournaments in Europe.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat (30th), S.S.P. Chawrasia (46th), Antonio Lascuna (51st), Chan Shih-chang (54th), Filipino Angelo Que (57th)  are some of the other Asians in the fray.

The International Golf Federation proposed to the IOC of a 72-hole individual stroke play competition for both men and women reflecting leading players’ opinion of the fairest and best way to identify an Olympic champion. In the event of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff will determine the medal winner(s).

The top-15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top-15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.

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