August 26, 2024 3:09 pm

There have been some great finishes to golf tournaments this year, but few have offered the excitement of the last round of the Olympics. Scottie Scheffler came from behind to grab the glory and nudged our plucky Brit, Tommy Fleetwood, into the silver medal position. It was a fitting end to an enthralling competition. But the question still rumbles on: should golf and in particular the top players, play in the Olympics?

I have to admit that I initially was in the doubter’s camp. The Olympic ideal is about amateurs participating for the true spirit of the sport. Should multi-millionaire sports people be involved?

Attitudes have changed

It was a fairly inauspicious start in Rio in 2016.  Many of the top players swerved the tournament, citing the Zika virus as the reason for non-appearances. Justin Rose changed everything.  His evident pride in taking the gold medal for team GB started a sea change in players’ opinions. In Tokyo, Xander Shauffele was the winner of the gold medal. He has gone on to do great things since. Now we have Scottie Scheffler as the Olympic champion, so it is certainly a tournament where the cream has risen to the top.

I am now fully on board and think it is a wonderful thing for the sport and the athletes that compete. Make no mistake, although the rewards are far greater than most sports, the top golfers in the world these days are top athletes.

When you look at the money side of things, the golfers and the tennis players are by far the best paid of the individual Olympic contestants. But with events like the Diamond League in athletics, most of the higher profile sports are now well remunerated.

Good for the profile of the game

As for the profile of the sport and bringing it to the attention of the general public, well this is my hobby horse. I love watching sport and fulfil my passion by subscribing to any sports channels available. But what about those that don’t subscribe? With so little golf now available to watch on free to air tv, the Olympics offers an opportunity.  It’s a chance to see golf played by the best players at the best venues at the highest and purest level of competition.  No money, just the honour of representing your country. How many non-golfers, who had never heard of Tommy Fleetwood, were pulling for him on that Sunday afternoon, because he was wearing the Team GB logo? That is what I love about golf in the Olympics.  People could see the game in a wonderful, competitive light, rather than a sport awash with money chasers. Pride rather than greed is far more attractive to a viewer.

So, I am now a huge fan of golf in the Olympics. It is here to stay and the professionals are now climbing over themselves to represent their country. Bring on LA, where the tournament is to be held at the prestigious Riviera Country Club. I hope it is another spectacle of brilliant golf, a showcase for sportsmanship and another wonderful advert for our amazing sport.

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