The men's roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics was only finalised earlier this week, but some players have caused quite a bit of controversy by missing out on the chance to represent their country at the Golf National in Paris.
Qualification is based on world rankings after the U.S. Open, and earlier this week LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau said he was disappointed he wouldn’t be able to join the American team despite his strong performances in the three majors so far, including a win at Pinewood No. 2.
Now, another LIV Golf pro, Stinger GC player Branden Grace, has questioned the logic of two of his teammates, Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester, missing out on the South African Championship despite being in excellent form themselves.
Grace, who attended a press conference at LIV Golf Links in Nashville with Oosthuizen and Burmeister, began: “In my opinion, these two guys should represent South Africa this year because of how many tournaments they’ve won, how many tournaments they’ve played, where they’ve played, how they’ve performed, not just in the last five months, but probably in the last year or so, maybe even longer.”
Oosthuizen finished 2023 with two DP World Tour titles and two runner-up finishes at LIV Golf this season. Meanwhile, Burmester won LIV Golf Miami in April, and the former PGA Tour pro's career continues to flourish.
Louis Oosthuizen wins two DP World Tour titles in 2023
(Image source: Getty Images)
However, although Burmester is third in the LIV Golf individual rankings and Oosthuizen is fifth, their world rankings are well below the two South Africans who will be competing in the Olympics, PGA Tour pros Christian Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen, who combined to win just once during the two-year qualifying period but, crucially, played regularly in world ranking events.
In light of this, Grace suggested that countries should use different criteria to select their teams.
“I think it's probably a good idea, maybe each country will choose or try to find their own solution, how to qualify players and things like that,” he said. “It would certainly be a way to progress. “But at the moment the system is not quite right. We all know that. We talk about it every week, but these are the two guys who should be representing South Africa.”
I asked the 🇿🇦 Stingers about the Olympics. As usual, their answers were insightful (with a little fun sprinkled in at the end). pic.twitter.com/6O33Zk72h0June 20, 2024
Regardless, Oosthuizen admits he has never been a big fan of professional golf at the Olympics. He explained: “I'm probably not the right person to talk to. I think I've said this before, a few years ago, when golf became an Olympic sport. I grew up with the four majors as my main events, and I really don't think it's appropriate for professional golfers to play golf at the Olympics.
“I had the opportunity to compete in one Olympics but I withdrew. I felt that the Olympics were close to the Grand Slams and the Grand Slams were always my main focus, so the Olympics didn't fit into my schedule that year.
Dean Burmester wins his first LIV golf title at Miami Championship
(Image source: Getty Images)
“Looking back, I think it’s good to have on your CV that you represented your country… but I hope the boys can play well, do well and they will still be a strong South African team.”
Burmeister echoed those good wishes, saying: “Yeah, Christian and Eric are obviously going to make South Africa proud and they’re playing some great golf too, which is great.
“It's certainly an honour to represent the country at the Olympics. I think that's basically the squad we have and these two are going to have that opportunity, so it's pretty special and we can only wish them the best of luck.”
