Few stars left to shine in men’s field

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and the United States’ Bubba Watson will be vying for a gold medal in golf’s return to the Olympics after 112 years, an event with less buzz than many in the sport had hoped for due to some high-profile no-shows.

Watson and Stenson, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the Olympics field of 60 players, will be missing some familiar foes, since the top four men in the world — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy — have controversially decided not to play in the competition. 

The qualifying regulations have allowed the US to send four players, more than any other country. Twice Major winner Watson, the world No. 6, may be the one to beat in Rio.

Another American Rickie Fowler, one of the highest-ranked golfers never to have won a Major, will also be in the medal hunt.

Nobody will have an advantage of knowing the newly-built Reserva de Marapendi course and it remains to be seen whether it will favour power or precision.

Stenson, ranked second in the Olympics and fifth in the world, is on the hottest streak, having set scoring records at Royal Troon at the British Open in July.

All three are featuring in the current PGA Championship in New Jersey, the final golf Major before the Games. Britain's Olympics team is also strong, featuring this year’s Masters winner, Danny Willett, and world No. 11 Justin Rose.

From the lesser known players in the field, the golf world is hoping a breakout star will emerge from a country where the sport needs to grow. Anirban Lahiri, of India, or China's Hao Tong Li, who won the Volvo China Open in May, could fit the bill. — Reuters