Wayne Riley
I said in this column many years ago that Jon Rahm would be the world’s best player and a Major Champion before too long. He achieved the former after winning the Memorial in June 2020 and his maiden Major triumph came after a brilliant performance at Torrey Pines in this year’s US Open.
He wasn’t just the best player during the final round, he was the best player by a distance. As challenges fell away on the fearsome back nine, Rahm hit great shot after great shot and rarely looked troubled. It was one of the best back-nine performances I’ve seen in a Major and it’s all the more impressive given what happened to him the previous week in Ohio.
He boasts amazing skill and mental fortitude and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll win more Majors. There’s no way he’s a one and done. He’s so determined, too – he won’t get distracted by what he’s achieved and it’ll only serve to add more fuel to the fire.
Rahm will be competing in the Olympics in Tokyo and by the time you read this, he might have added a Gold Medal to his impressive list of achievements. To me, the field looks stronger than it was in 2016, but it is a bit of a shame that a few high-profile players decided not to make the trip.
I can understand people not going, don’t get me wrong. The WGC-FEDEX St Jude – a tournament with a lot of world ranking and Ryder Cup points – is the following week and there’s a lot to play for as we approach the Fedex Cup Play-offs. Also, coronavirus is still prevalent and that’s surely been a consideration – in 2016 we had the Zika virus and now there’s a global pandemic to contend with. You also have to bear in mind that professional golf is predominantly an individual sport.
But still, the Olympics only comes round every four years and it’s an opportunity to represent your country on a global stage. Professional golf is volatile and there’s no guarantee the players who turned the Olympics down will be in a position to qualify in 2024 or beyond. I once turned down playing for Australia in the World Cup and it was a decision I came to regret – plus I got an absolute scolding from my mum! I was fortunate I was able to represent Australia in 1997 at Kiawah Island, but some of the Olympic withdrawers might not be so lucky.
I do think there perhaps needs to be more on offer from a medals perspective. As it stands, there’s only a 72-hole strokeplay competition for the men and women and it’s a long way to travel if your game isn’t on and you suspect you don’t have much of a chance. Look at swimming and cycling, for example – there are numerous Gold Medals to compete for and you can leave a national hero like Michael Phelps, Chris Hoy or Ian Thorpe.
It might be worth considering a number of different medal events and formats – perhaps 36-hole strokeplay, individual match play, team match play and mixed match play. Someone could get hot and land three Gold Medals and that would be a hell of a story.
My views on golf in the Olympics have changed since Rio, I have to say. I now feel it should be in as it promotes the sport to every corner of the world. Watching Justin Rose claiming gold in 2016 was awesome viewing and he’s now announced everywhere he goes as the Olympic Gold Medallist, which I know he really enjoys. It’s just such a cool thing to be a part of and I really hope this year’s edition delivers yet more excitement and persuades more of the top players to take part in Paris in 2024.
“I do think there needs to be more on offer from a medals perspective”