Olympic Games Golf Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

IT HAS been 112 years since golf was last played at the Olympic Games and if many people had their way it would be at least another 112 years before it is allowed to return.

In the end it only formed part of the schedule in Paris in 1900 and St Louis in 1904. In the interim it became a fully-fledged professional sport, creating millionaires of its top players.

There was surprise when the sport was included in the Games in 2016, but that would all have been forgiven if the sport's finest had turned up in Rio and put on a great show. Instead, many of the world's top players have withdrawn, citing concerns over the zika virus. Golf is also scheduled to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo - there is a widespread belief that Tokyo may be the last time. Perhaps we will then have to wait another 112 years before it appears again.

This was a golden opportunity to show the world what golf has to offer, with the sport's finest going head to head over four rounds with nothing more than gold, silver and bronze medals at stake. There was cynicism when tennis returned to the Olympic cycle, but its top players have embraced the Olympics - Andy Murray, who won gold in London, regards it as highly as any of his three Grand Slam titles. Indeed, he described being asked to carry the flag for the Great Britain team at the opening ceremony in Rio as "the biggest honour in sport". Some of golf's biggest names would do well to take note.

The Olympic Golf Course in Rio has been created especially for the Games and there are concerns that it won't be used after the tournament, so you can see that it is easy to be negative about golf's participation in the Olympics. No Jason Day. No Jordan Spieth. No Rory McIlroy. No Dustin Johnson. No Adam Scott.

The top-15 world-ranked players were all eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from any given country. Beyond the top-15, players are 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.

So let's have a look at who will be there, who can help grow the game.

Henrik Stenson, of Sweden, is the top-ranked player in the field, and the favourite to win gold. Stenson won The Open Championship in astonishing style and finished tied eighth in the US PGA Championship - he was in contention to win that, too, until a late double-bogey. Some of the 60-strong field may well be heading to Rio to make up the numbers, but Stenson is not one of them.

He is a ferocious competitor and says of the Olympics: "I am going there to win the gold medal," he said. "It is a huge honour to represent my country in Rio. I am 40 years old and this may be my only opportunity to take part in the Games. I would love to win gold - it was one of my main targets when I set my schedule at the beginning of the year."

While much has been made of the withdrawals, Stenson still has some pretty stiff competition, with Spain, Great Britain and the United States all fielding world-class players. Even though Spieth and Johnson said no, the USA were still entitled to field four players and will be represented by Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed, all four of whom are expected to be at Hazeltine for the Ryder Cup.

They are all fantastic players and they are all incredibly patriotic, so there is a great deal of pride at stake. If you had to pick one of the four it would have to be Reed. There are some sportsmen who grow in stature when they represent their country, and Reed is one of those. He is in decent form and it would be a huge surprise if he doesn't contend for one of the medals. If Watson is the man to claim gold you can be certain that there will be tears when is on the medals rostrum - a lot of tears.

Justin Rose, the former US Open champion, barely made the cut at Baltusrol but had a great weekend. Thankfully, he has stopped experimenting with his putting stroke and is striking the ball well. Apart from anything else, he hasn't won this year and will be eager to put that right. He is partnered by Danny Willett, who has struggled since his memorable victory at The Masters in April.

Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello represent Spain. Garcia's pedigree is well known, and Cabrera Bello has had the best season of his career, with a Ryder Cup debut beckoning. Garcia is still seeking his first major and that remains his priority. It would be entirely typical of the Spaniard if he were to run away with this tournament.

Other players worth keeping an eye on in Rio include Padraig Harrington, the former Open and US PGA champion. The Irishman has found a rich vein of form recently and could be ready for another big victory.

But my dark horse is the wonderful young South African golfer, Brandon Stone. Already a winner on the European Tour this season, Stone is destined for big things. When Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen withdrew, it opened the door for Stone and he had no second thoughts about taking up the invitation to represent South Africa.

Olympic Games Golf Tips & Picks

To Win

Henrik Stenson. Really wants this

Each Way

Patrick Reed. Bleeds red, white and blue

Each Way

Justin Rose. Due a win

Olympic Games Golf Fantasy Picks

Henrik Stenson. Playing wonderful golf

Patrick Reed. As patriotic as they come

Justin Rose. Britain's big hope

Bubba Watson. Will love representing his country

Matt Kuchar. Mr Consistency

Rickie Fowler. Needs a big week after a disappointing season

Padraig Harrington. On the way back

Sergio Garcia. Always there or thereabouts

Brandon Stone. Brilliant young South African

Thongchai Jaidee. Thai veteran can win anywhere