Top 10 Highest Ranked Golfers in the Olympics
The Rio Olympics Golf field, despite the pull-outs, is still very strong
With the games just around the corner, here are the Top 10 Highest Ranked Golfers in the Olympics
Top 10 Highest Ranked Golfers in the Olympics
With the controversy surrounding golf in the Olympics due to the pull-outs of many of the game's best players, many believe it will be a very weak field.
We've looked at the field, with the 10 highest players listed below, and it certainly isn't weak.
Yes, it may be weaker than the women's in regards of world rankings, but there are still some world class talent and it should make for a memorable tournament.
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Related: All you need to know about golf in the Olympics
Related: Rio Olympic Golf Course Hole by Hole Guide
1) Henrik Stenson - World number 5
The Open Champion is the highest ranked player in the field at number 5 after Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy all pulled out. No doubt, the Swede, who's joined by David Lingmerth, will be the favourite for the gold medal.
2) Bubba Watson - World number 6
Bubba will also be highly fancied due to the open nature of the course, he'll be able to hit driver a lot and take advantage of his length.
3) Rickie Fowler - World number 7
The 2nd highest ranked of the four Americans, Fowler will be looking to put a highlight on what's been a disappointing year where his best finish in a major was a T33 at the USPGA.
4) Danny Willett - World number 9
The Masters Champion, along with Justin Rose, gives the Great British public high hopes of achieving a medal.
5) Sergio Garcia - World number 11
Sergio will be looking to win gold for Spain after a great year that's included a victory at the Byron Nelson and two top fives in the majors.
6) Justin Rose - World number 12
The 2013 US Open champion has had a quiet year by his high standards but has shown no secret of his excitement towards the games.
7) Patrick Reed - World number 14
The American is turning into a fan favourite, especially when he came out with these quotes last month: "Just thinking about having a gold medal means a lot. I think the biggest thing is I get to represent my country again. I get to wear the red, white and blue. Any time I get to wear those colours, it’s a huge day."
8) Matt Kuchar - World number 20
Kuch didn't even know it was an individual competition until last week but will be highly fancied to medal. He hasn't won as much as you'd think he has but his consistency and top 10 record is envied by the best.
9) Rafael Cabrera Bello - World number 28
The Spaniard lines up along Sergio Garcia in a Spain side that will have high hopes of success. He came 3rd in the WGC-Dell Match Play earlier this year and looks likely to play his first Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in September.
10) Byeong-Hun An - World number 33
The 2015 BMW PGA Champion and European Tour Rookie of the Year is rated as one of the game's biggest prospects. He became the youngest man to ever win the US Amateur in 2009. South Korea's ladies are highly fancied and he has every chance of matching their success.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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