CHASKA, Minn. — Tiger Woods is a step closer to adding another major title to his name: Olympian.
Players and golf officials alike were thrilled at the International Olympic Committee executive board’s decision Thursday to recommend golf and rugby sevens for inclusion at the 2016 Games. The full 106-member IOC assembly has the final say, voting in Copenhagen in October.
“I’d love to play for the rugby team,” Woods joked after shooting a 5-under 67 at the PGA Championship. “No, I think it’s great for golf. We’re long overdue to have it in the Olympics. Our sport is a global sport, it’s played all around the world. Hopefully, it will be passed in October, and it will truly be in the Olympics.”
Woods is arguably the most popular and recognized athlete in the world, and his support has been key in golf’s bid to be added to the Olympic program. He appeared in a video golf officials used during their pitch to the executive board in June, and he said this week he would play in 2016. IOC president Jacques Rogge even mentioned Woods by name Thursday, calling him a “major icon” in the world and saying golf is an important sport.
Golf’s other big names have eagerly lent their support, too, with Lorena Ochoa, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam all promoting the bid. Defending PGA champ Padraig Harrington even suggested the Olympics could someday become the fifth major.
Golf was played at the 1900 Paris Olympics and 1904 St. Louis Games. While Woods’ popularity has helped fuel worldwide interest in the game — the World Cup will be in China this year and the field at this week’s PGA included players from almost two dozen countries — golf officials say there is still plenty of room for growth. Being part of the games is essential because many governments fund only Olympic sports.
“I’ve said there is no singular decision or singular program that can globalize the game of golf like a nod from the IOC to join the Olympic Games,” PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka said, beaming after the IOC announcement was made. “We still have Oct. 9 to look forward to, but we’re very encouraged by today and we’re proud of the support we’ve received.”
Golf has proposed a 72-hole stroke-play competition for men and women, with 60 players in each field. The world’s top 15 players would qualify automatically. While match play could still be considered, International Golf Federation executive director Ty Votaw said stroke play was proposed after discussions with the top players.
“(They) felt it was the best and fairest way to identify a champion in a competition like an Olympic competition,” Votaw said.
All the major professional tours have said they’ll alter tournament schedules to avoid a clash with the Olympics, but that could mean some significant shifts on the calendar. The four cities bidding for the 2016 Games — Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro — have proposed dates in July and August. The PGA Championship, the season’s last major, is traditionally played in mid-August, and the United States is scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2016.
But Votaw and Steranka said it’s too early to worry about what tournaments will have to be moved and where.
“So many things would have to be addressed with venues and with television partners,” Steranka said. “But we are all committed to do that because the prize for golf is that good.”
Players sure seemed to think so, with some almost giddy at the prospect of being Olympians.
“You look at the Olympics last year, and you see Michael Phelps is going for the gold medal and LeBron James is there watching him and all of the basketball players,” Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy said. “It would be great to be part of a team like that.”
Golf
Golf one step closer to being Olympic sport
- Golf
-
-
McIlroy: Now I know I'm the best
Winning the U.S. Open last year didn't just earn Rory McIlroy his first major title, it made him believe he was ready to become the best player in the world.
-
Woods insists he’s close to regularly contending
Tiger Woods insists he is close to contending on a weekly basis, even if recent results suggest otherwise.
-
Dufner birdies way to lead at Byron Nelson
Standing over his ball in a swale behind the 18th green, Jason Dufner would have been content with a par and a spot in the big group tied for the lead in the Byron Nelson Championship.
-
Zach Johnson takes Players’ lead
After breaking 70 for the first time in seven weeks, Tiger Woods headed to the back of the practice range at the TPC Sawgrass to fine-tune his swing. That was much better than going to the clubhouse to clean out his locker.
-
McIlroy finding a balance in golf and life
Rory McIlroy went home to Northern Ireland after the Masters and left his clubs behind in Florida. He didn’t touch them again until he returned last week to start gearing up for a big summer that includes his title defense at the U.S. Open.
-
Nicklaus hasn’t forgotten his most magical shots
Now 72 years old, Jack Nicklaus jokes that he can’t remember what happened yesterday.
-
Bradley should be a lock for Presidents Cup
Until winning the PGA Championship, the coolest thing in golf that happened to Keegan Bradley during his amazing rookie season was getting a phone call from Fred Couples in May after he won his first PGA Tour event.
-
Gindlesberger leads Southern in opener
Billy Gindlesberger shot a one-over par 37 at Oakland Golf Club Tuesday to lead Southern to a season-opening tri-match win over Northern and Bishop Walsh in high school golf.
-
Those who know Woods’ game: He’s down, not out
The kid standing behind 15-year-old Tiger Woods on the tee at Torrey Pines was two years older and already a hotshot himself on Southern California’s rough-and-tumble amateur golf circuit the first time he saw the look.
-
Fowler part of 4-way tie as Woods falters
Rickie Fowler had eight birdies and an eagle to give himself another shot at winning. Adam Scott did well enough to stay in the lead. PGA Tour rookie Keegan Bradley got in on the action late.
- More Golf Headlines
-
