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The men’s golf competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics is set to tee off on Thursday, August 1, at the Le Golf National in Paris, France. The event features 60 golfers from 32 countries, out of which only seven are from LIV Golf.
While some players criticized the Olympics’ qualification system for the low representation of players from the Saudi-backed circuit, Nick Taylor justified it. According to the Canadian PGA Tour pro, the breakaway series’ players ‘knew the decision they were making’ which eventually led to them not being ‘eligible’ for ranking points. He dubbed it a ‘byproduct’ of the players’ choices.
The four-time PGA Tour winner said “It is what it is” after explaining that players on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour continue to play for ranking points which makes them eligible for Olympic selection.
Replying to a query about possible amendments in the Olympics qualification criteria, Nick Taylor said during his press conference at Le Golf National (as quoted by ASAP Sports):
“Yeah, I don't know what they would do, if you're referring to LIV guys. Yeah, I guess time will tell. But I think you can ask any of them; they knew what decision they were making. This was a byproduct of them are really not being eligible, at least if they left a couple years ago.
"I think everyone who plays on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour or around the world, receiving points, you know, it's as accurate as it can be currently. But for guys that went to LIV and aren't able to be here, they made that choice. So, as it currently stands, it is what it is.”
Taylor’s comments come after some players openly called for the revamping of the Olympic qualification system. LIV golfer Jon Rahm called for an amendment which allowed the countries to pick their players and not rely on ranking positions.
Following up on Taylor’s comments, his Canadian teammate Corey Conners stated that his national side chose the “fairest way” to pick the squad.
The 32-year-old golfer added in the same presser:
“Speaking on behalf of Canadians, I think it's probably the fairest way. There's a lot of good Canadians; I was just able to sneak in for the second spot to make this team and certainly working hard to do that. I think for the Canadian team, definitely the fairest way, and all of us are pretty much playing on PGA Tour right now.”
LIV golfers at the 2024 Olympics
The Olympics in Paris features a stacked field, headlined by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy. Notably, the event also has seven LIV golfers from four countries competing at the Le Golf National.
Players like Joaquin Niemann, Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk, among others, made it to the field despite difficulties in gaining ranking points.
Listed below are the LIV Golf players competing in the Paris Olympics and their nationalities:
- Joaquin Niemann - Chile
- Mito Pereira - Chile
- Abraham Ancer – Mexico
- Carlos Ortiz – Mexico
- Adrian Meronk – Poland
- Jon Rahm – Spain
- David Puig – Spain
It is pertinent to note that Bryson DeChambeau is one of the biggest names who missed out on the Olympics. The World No. 9 golfer is one of only two players from the world rankings top-10 to miss the event. Team US’ decision to not pick the reigning US Open champion faced backlash from several fans.
