ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt last night launched a harsh criticism of golf in the Olympics, calling it "DOA" and a "disaster." Matt Kuchar is one of four male golfer representing the U.S. in Rio later this month and “one of the few who is going to play” among the world’s top players. However, he was not aware of the "format he’ll be playing” before being informed during a media conference in advance of this week's PGA Tour Travelers Championship. He was under the assumption it was a team tournament and not individual stroke play. Van Pelt said, “On the men’s side, nobody wants to go. Maybe nobody is overstating it, but very, very few who I spoke with from the moment this was announced expressed any desire to play at all.” While the Zika virus "is a real concern," it also "became the ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card" for the players. Adam Scott in April became the first top-ranked golfer to “say he was passing" on representing his country -- Australia -- in Rio, and there since has been a "stampede who have followed his lead.” Golfers are "independent contractors who travel the world for giant cash grabs by way of appearance fees to play in their individual sport." Van Pelt: "There’s no prize money waiting in Rio, but there is the allure of the Gold Medal, you say. And that’s true, there’s that. If you throw a javelin or a shot put or you’re a hurdler or a sprinter or a swimmer or a gymnast and you had the chance once every four years to demonstrate to the world that you’re the best, it is obvious why a Gold Medal would be the pinnacle. But if you play golf, there are already four opportunities every year to demonstrate that to the world and those are the major championships.” Van Pelt said he “thought sponsors or another good ole' fashioned American tradition -- shaming -- might force the hands” of some of these golfers to play, but even that did not work ("SportsCenter,” ESPN, 8/4).
HAPPY TO BE PLAYING: Kuchar, who currently is ranked No. 20 in the world, will be joined in Rio by fellow Americans Bubba Watson (No. 6), Rickie Fowler (No. 7) and Patrick Reed (No. 14). Kuchar said it was a “bit of a shame” the four top-ranked golfers in the world -- Jason Day (Australia), Dustin Johnson (U.S.), Jordan Spieth (U.S.) and Rory McIlroy (Ireland) -- are not competing in the Olympics, but he said the “event is going to go on very well.” He said golf in the Olympics “will help with worldwide growth” of the game. Kuchar: "The Olympics can only help grow the game internationally” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 8/3).
HOPING FOR THE BEST: NBC's Mike Tirico said he “really wanted to see golf” at Rio despite "some big names" missing the event. He said, "I’d love to see the competition get traction and succeed. If not, we change the format for 2020” ("Today,” NBC, 8/4).
