Jon Rahm calls for changes to golf’s Olympic qualifying system: “Allow the countries to pick themselves”

Jon Rahm expressed recently strong opinions about the need for changes in the qualifying criteria for Olympic golf. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be a significant event for the sport, and Rahm believes that the current system, heavily influenced by the PGA Tour-favoring Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), needs a major overhaul to ensure that the best players are able to participate.

In his pre-Olympics press conference, Jon Rahm didn’t hold back his thoughts on the matter.

“The Olympics, you want the best players to be able to participate,” he said. “Any tournament, you want the best players possible to represent their country. Obviously, the qualifying criteria might need to change.”

Jon Rahm’s comments reflect his desire to see a selection process that allows for more flexibility and better representation of top talent, similar to how Team USA Basketball operates.

Jon Rahm’s suggestions come on the heels of his recent performances, where he has shown remarkable form. The LIV Golf star recently clinched his first LIV Golf title at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Staffordshire, England, outlasting competitors like Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Cameron Smith. This victory adds to Rahm’s impressive career achievements, including multiple major championships and a prominent position in the world of professional golf.

Jon Rahm: A Push for National Selection Freedom

Jon Rahm’s primary concern is the allegedly restrictive nature of the current Olympic golf qualifying system. Under the present rules, no country can send more than four top-15 players, and the OWGR plays a significant role in determining eligibility.

This system has led to situations where top golfers from the LIV circuit, such as Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, were not selected for the Olympics because LIV tournaments are not recognized by the OWGR.

“I think you can always do it, like with other sports, and allow the countries to pick themselves,” Rahm proposed. “There needs to be some guidelines. But Team USA basketball has freedom to choose whoever they want. I understand it’s a different circumstance, but I think you need to let each country choose who they want to play.”

Jon Rahm’s comments highlight the growing frustration among a group of golfers who feel that the current system does not accurately reflect the talent pool. He believes that giving countries the freedom to select their representatives would lead to a more competitive and exciting Olympic golf tournament.

In addition to advocating for changes in the qualifying criteria, Jon Rahm also suggested the inclusion of a team aspect in future Olympic golf competitions.

“In the future, I would also like to see some team aspects in the Olympics,” he said. “I would love to actually, as a partner or somehow, whether as a combined sport or us playing together, to be able to represent Spain. It would be extremely nice to share the stage with another player, to do something different.”

Jon Rahm’s vision for a team component echoes similar sentiments from other top golfers like Rory McIlroy, who have called for innovations to make Olympic golf more engaging and reflective of the sport’s diverse talent.

Rahm’s recent struggles in major tournaments, including a T45 finish at the Masters and a missed cut at the PGA Championship, have made him even more passionate about the potential of the Olympics to elevate the sport.

“I think you need to let each country choose who they want to play,” Rahm reiterated. “That would be extremely nice to share the stage with another player, to do something different, to maybe do what we do every other day, right?”

The 2028 Olympic golf competition will be held at Riviera Country Club, where jon Rahm won the 2023 Genesis Invitational. His familiarity with the course and his recent form make him a strong contender for a medal. However, Rahm’s main focus remains on pushing for changes that will allow the best players to compete and make the event as prestigious as possible.

As the golf community prepares for the 2028 Olympics, Rahm’s calls for reform resonate with many who believe that the current system needs to evolve. His passion for the sport and commitment to seeing it grow on the global stage underscore his status as one of golf’s leading voices.

“Golf’s history with the Olympics is so young right now,” Rahm noted. “It may not have the magnitude or recognition that it could have in the future, right? But I believe it can become a cornerstone event if we ensure that the best players are there, representing their countries and showcasing the best of what golf has to offer.”

With these remarks, Jon Rahm continues to champion the cause for a more inclusive and competitive Olympic golf tournament, hoping that future changes will bring the event closer to its full potential.