Golf was returned to the Olympics program relatively recently-the first time medals were played in Rio de Janeiro after more than a century’s hiatus. It seems that the decision was right: the number of tops going to compete at the Games in Tokyo has not decreased, as it happened in tennis. The published list of participants in the men’s tournament includes many world stars.

The top players at the Olympics will be

True, there are rejections, too. Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Louis Osthuizen and Dustin Johnson are all leaders in the sport, but are not going to the Olympics. Garcia, a competitor from Spain, wrote on social media that he preferred another tournament to the Olympics. The athlete performed in Rio and finished eighth there:

This is one of the hardest decisions of my life. I love the Olympics, but my first priority is to represent Spain on the international stage in the Ryder Cup. My number one goal is to make myself known on the European team without waiting for promising invitations. Representing Spain in the Olympics is an honor and a huge responsibility.

Colin Morikawa, the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) winner, feels differently – he’s happy to be playing in the Olympics. Maybe it’s the age difference – the “refuseniks” are, on average, 10 years older than those who go to the Olympics. Maybe the fact that the players belong to different generations played a role here: the latter are more mobile and can adapt to new competitions.

I am going. I’m so excited. It’s going to be one of the best things in my life,” Morikawa said after finishing fourth at the U.S. Open last Sunday. – If you think back to when I was an amateur two years ago, literally two years ago, the fact that I’m going to be on this team and going to Tokyo makes me smile.

Some athletes from the top 50 of the PGA rankings decided not to go to the Olympics, but they were replaced by other players of roughly the same level. In total, 60 people will take part in the tournament in Tokyo – the world top 15 with a maximum of four representatives from one country. The rest will be selected by a similar system, but one country will be able to field two players each (if it has no athletes in the top 15).

Interestingly, the Rio Olympics medalists in Japan will not participate – winner Justin Rose, silver medalist Henrik Stenson and bronze medalist Matt Kuchar did not qualify for the Olympics.

Tokyo Olympian Collin Morikawa competed only in amateur events until 2019, playing for his university team in California. Now he’s qualified for the Olympics – it only took a couple of years. Anything is possible in golf.

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For a long time – one of the symbols of women’s golf. Along with performances on the green, works as a model, and her face can be seen not only in sports magazines. She has also starred in two TV series where she played herself.

Maria Verchenova (Russia).

Was the only representative of Russia at the Olympic golf tournament last year. Maria finished 16th in Rio, but on the final day of competition, Verchenova managed to make a hole in one – that is, hit the hole with one stroke from 142 meters.

Beatriz Recari (Spain).

Dropped out for a professional career at the University of Pamplona. Has played numerous tournaments and has some serious victories under her belt. Never lacked admirers, but married her caddie.

Sandra Gahl (Germany).

Won one LPGA tournament in 2011 and won the Solheim Cup team tournament. She plays the cello, is a good drawer, enjoys dancing and wakeboarding.

Sophie Korn (UK).

The fitness coach is not a famous golfer, but she has shot for many glossy magazines where she was presented as a golfer. So her popularity can be the envy of many champions.

Shin Ahn (Korea).

Shin Ahn started her career in New Zealand under the name Shin Ahn, but then took advantage of the fashion for Asian women in world golf and positioned herself as a Korean. Currently plays in the Japanese Golf League.

Shadena Parks (USA).

Grew up in the American college sports system and didn’t make her way into the pros until 2015, becoming only the fifth African-American woman in LPGA history. She also did a series of nude shots for ESPN magazine’s “Body Issue” project.

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In the ‘noughties, every housewife knew Woods’ name. His successes were known not only to those who can’t tell a birdie from a par and a bunker from a green, but even to those who have little idea what golf clubs look like, how many there are, and how they differ.

These are all details for professionals, or at least amateurs of the sport’s most aristocratic (according to adherents). But Woods was so much in everyday life that it was hard not to notice him. He looked at us from the covers of magazines, glossy and not so glossy, smiled from the TV screen during commercials, his victories were covered in sports news where golf was not too welcome, he produced his own clothes and a named video game. And he also regularly topped the list of richest athletes – his earnings passed a billion dollars. Ten years later, Woods has been forgotten for a while.

SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Eldrick Tont Wood, the athlete’s full name, came to everyone’s attention in late May. Then the press reported that the 14-time major winner was arrested for drunken driving and spent the night in the police station. The hot facts were immediately scattered over the pages of newspapers and websites, where they were savored by fans of sensationalism.

Like the old anecdote about Rabinovich winning a million dollars at the lottery, not all of the information turned out to be true. Details emerged a little later, and were not as scandalous. As it turned out, about three o’clock in the morning, highway patrol in Palm Beach, Florida, noticed a Mercedes standing with its engine running right on the road. Inside, officers found Woods asleep, whose behavior seemed strange – he was lethargic and unable to speak clearly. Naturally, with such symptoms the athlete was immediately taken to the proper place.

Woods himself denied that he was drunk, and for good reason – there was no alcohol in his blood. But the 41-year-old golfer had to confess to other sins. As it turned out, he took medications, prescribed by a doctor, including painkillers and sleeping pills. And he overdid it and fell asleep at the wheel. After that, he had to start a rehabilitation program. Among other things, the charge of driving under the influence of medication was reduced to just dangerous driving, which implies much less severe sanctions. This story is not over yet.

BEST OF THE BEST

Those who think Woods is solely a media character are wrong. Nor are those who are convinced that Tiger only became popular because of political correctness, a nice story about breaking stereotypes — in short, “because he’s black.” The son of a Vietnam War veteran and a girl from Southeast Asia is indeed a very talented golfer, maybe even a genius. You can’t win 14 majors and a handful of other titles on media appeal alone, Anna Kournikova can attest. Woods, who has been holding the stick since he was two years old, has had an incredible career, starting as a kid, continuing through college and amateur levels.

After turning pro at 18, he was ranked number one in the world in less than a year and set a record for being number one on the planet from August 1999 to September 2004 and from June 2005 to October 2010. Picked Pro Player of the Year 11 times. Became the youngest ever grand slam golfer, second only to Jack Nicklaus in the number of majors won. Even now, with his major successes far behind him, he is among the world’s highest-paid athletes – Woods earned $37 million in 2016.

So why then has the legendary player become a household name in recent years? John McEnroe, known for his sharp tongue, commenting on Novak Djokovic’s recent career slumps, quipped: “The first thing that comes to mind is Tiger Woods.” How so?

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The Telegraph: Rory McIlroy crowns new US Open title

Let’s welcome the new youngest (since Bobby Jones) US Open champion. Bow before the man who now owns the best result in the history of the tournament. Kudos to a player who will be able to redefine for himself again and again what is and isn’t possible in this sport. He woke up 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus with his resounding success, and that’s likely just the beginning. This is by no means a made-up exaggeration, this is the point of view of the man who himself set the bar at the highest level. Yes, that’s the view of Jack Nicklaus, who has 18 major titles under his belt.

To move with Rory McIlroy around the course at the Congressional Golf Club was to witness a new era in golf, and maybe in the sport in general. The 22-year-old has everything in his arsenal to become a central figure in the golf world. Experts have studied his swing technique and decided it’s probably the ideal all golfers aspire to. Jack Nicklaus admitted that McIlroy is already a head taller than he was at the same age.

At the same time, McIlroy is a man with a generous soul, who is not characterized by falsehood, and he sees only good things in life. McIlroy is a guy who lets people pass first, who always says “thank you” and “you’re welcome.

Daily Mail: A truly Hollywood turnaround for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s performance at the US Open ranked alongside a pair of brilliant victories by Tiger Woods as the most flawless in history.

As the youngest U.S. Open winner since 1923 (after Bobby Jones), McIlroy also made history as the third man to win his first U.S. Open title at the age of 22. The first was Seve Ballesteros – he won the tournament in 1979 when he was 22 years and 100 days old, and Jack Nicklaus conquered the top in 1962 at the age of 22 years and 143 days. Rory McIlroy, who celebrated his birthday on May 4, beat Ballesteros by 54 days and Nicklaus by 97 .

Nicklaus was the first to congratulate the young champion on his victory. “After talking to him, I was sure he wouldn’t make the same mistakes as he did at the last Masters, and he was right,” said Nicklaus, who has been nicknamed the “Golden Bear” in the golf world. – Nicklaus, nicknamed the ‘Golden Bear’ in the world of golf, said. “I like every quality of Rory. I have no doubt he will have a great career.

The universal love affair with McIlroy, which began during the Masters, became all-consuming at the Congressional Golf Club course. Since Barack Obama’s inauguration, no one else has been honored as much in the nation’s capital.

Dave Stockton, who played in the Ryder Cup as captain of his team, commented on McIlroy’s victory: “I met him this morning and advised him to act aggressive and enjoy the game like Arnold Palmer did. Rory became the sixth non-American to win this tournament in the last eight years, but I can tell you that the Americans just worship him.”

The Guardian: Rory McIlroy triumphs in golf history

Say hello to Northern Ireland – the new superpower in world golf – and the new superstar Rory McIlroy, who had a brilliant victory at the US Open and deserves comparisons with the greatest golfers. Like the legendary American Tiger Woods at the zenith of his fame, he simply outclassed his rivals in every way.

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Matteo Manassero exists in two parallel universes. One is the poster boy for the Italian Open this week and the future of Italian golf, the other is a model student.

At 18, he’s already set the stage for making millions – with prizes and offers sprinkled on him in his first but fabulously successful professional season. By the end of his career, he’ll have added many more zeros to those sums, so from a practical standpoint, he doesn’t have to combine professional sports with his studies at all. But for him, golf is a means to a living, not life itself. And the fact that he continues to make efforts to develop his mind — Manassero has a series of school exams to take in September — speaks volumes.

Spend five minutes in his company, and you’ll be struck by how beyond his years this young man is wise. At least, that’s what his colleagues on the European Tour think.

“He doesn’t think like any other 18-year-old. He’s more mature than many of us. Matteo is a 35-year-old man in the body of an 18-year-old,” says Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

The idea of a golfer ranked 30th in the world being so young that he doesn’t even have a driver’s license seems absurd. This summer, Manassero will have the added burden of taking the necessary classes to finally get behind the wheel of a car.

“It’s really a little strange,” he stresses. – But in Italy you can’t get a driver’s license until you’re 18, and I’m trying to learn right now. When I pass my exam, my first car will probably be a Mini – in Italy you can’t drive faster cars with less than a year’s experience.”

Yes, he loses a little to his British peers in racing (in the UK you can get a license at 17), but on the golf course he’s way ahead. At 16 Matteo became the youngest winner of the World Amateur Championship, at 17 – the youngest triumpher of the European Tour tournament and the youngest golfer in history to make the cut at the Masters.

And the Italian’s performance at the BMW PGA Championship two weeks ago is proof that his career is in fast-forward mode.

Before the final round, Manassero shared first place with eventual winner Luke Donald, but ended up in seventh place. But in this situation, the experience gained by the 2010 Rookie of the Year was more rewarding.

“It could have been a fantastic day, but it ended up being a learning experience,” he said. – That happens in golf from time to time. Of course, there was nothing to get excited about, but it was a rewarding experience.”

“In fact, last year was a good year from that standpoint. I’ve been learning how to play and cope with all the different conditions, nerves and adrenaline around me. I’m becoming more confident. Winning two tournaments gave me more confidence,” stresses the Italian.

In ten days Manassero will debut at the US Open, but before that he has some business at home – along with the Molinari brothers he will be the main star at a tournament in Turin. It was at the Italian Open last year that Matteo made his professional debut. It was in Turin that Francesco Molinari first saw a four-year-old boy who couldn’t be overlooked.

“I played among amateurs at the Italian Open, and Manny played there. He even managed to go a hole,” recalls the world No. 20. – He could turn the world of Italian golf upside down. We did something when we won the Ryder Cup and we’re still doing our part, but Matteo could attract a lot more interest. He could be someone who makes not only the fans of our sport follow golf, but everyone else as well.

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The Dubai Desert Classic, which begins in Dubai on Thursday, brings together golfers ranked first through third in the world standings. Organizers made a gift to all golf fans and matched Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods against each other in rounds one and two.

All three have had success on the Emirates Golf Club course before – Woods won the tournament twice (in the 2006 and 2008 seasons), Westwood was second last year, and Kaymer was second in 2008, one stroke behind Woods, and fourth 12 months ago.

All three were happy with the current draw.

Martin Kaymer, for example, has never played the course with Woods, the man who once inspired him to take up golf.

“I’ve wanted to play alongside Tiger ever since I saw him win the U.S. Masters on TV in ’97,” the German admitted. – It was one of the first tournaments I watched. I’ve been golfing since I was 15, and to see the best golfer in the world win a tournament like that was the best source of inspiration and motivation.

“Sure, I’ve met Woods before, but what it’s like to play alongside him – I have no idea. It must be very interesting,” Kaymer added. – For the tournament as a whole, it’s just great to have three world ranking leaders playing together. Personally, I’m looking forward to it.”

“I don’t think we’re going to see it as a rivalry,” the world number two noted. – We’re going out there to have fun, play good golf and show people that we’re doing our job with love and passion. It’s not about being the winner or the loser in the end. It’s about competing against each other and having fun.”

Woods himself also likes the prospect of playing alongside Westwood and Kaymer.

“It should be fun,” the American told reporters. – The last time I played in a group of three of the best golfers in the world was at the U.S. Open in 2008. It was me, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott. We had a lot of fun playing.”

While Woods, 26, had never met the 26-year-old Kaymer before, he had played with the 37-year-old Westwood quite often. “We always had a great time with Lee,” Tiger recalled. – He and I are on tour about the same amount of time. We ended up in the same group several times at the majors, and I always got to play well next to him.”

“It’s a fantastic draw for the tournament and for the people who will be watching,” Westwood stressed, for his part. – That’s what viewers like. Other tournaments where the ranking leaders play each other – the PGA Championship, for example – always turn out to be exciting.”

“The fact that a player like Tiger, who has dominated world golf for the last 15 years, and the number one and number two world rankings play each other in the same group is great for the European Tour,” the Englishman added.

Curiously, the three world ranking leaders will not play each other at the majors or the World Championships, but at an ordinary European Tour tournament for the first time in 17 years.

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