One More Olympic Golf Follow-Up: Field Size And Beds

Some have wondered why golf's 2016 return features (A) a dull format and (B) small fields of 60 players. The dullness of the format is the result of asking players for their input and maybe a shortage of foresight by the International Golf Federation, but the field size is directly a result of the IGF's shrewd political maneuvering with the International Olympic Committee worried about...beds.

Yes, the vaunted IOC would not like a larger Olympic golf field because they are worried about too many requests for Olympic Village housing. Fine, I get it, this is a big operation.

However, golf may be different. After all, does anyone think anyone in the current world top 15, used to high-end accommodations will stay in a glorified dorm room bunk bed in 2016?

1. Luke Donald – Great Britain
2. Tiger Woods – U.S.A.
3. Rory McIlroy – Great Britain OR Ireland
4. Lee Westwood – Great Britain
5. Webb Simpson – U.S.A.
6. Adam Scott – Australia
7. Bubba Watson – U.S.A.
8. Jason Dufner – U.S.A.
9. Matt Kuchar – U.S.A.
10. Justin Rose – Great Britain
11. Graeme McDowell – Great Britain OR Ireland
12. Zach Johnson – U.S.A.
13. Hunter Mahan – U.S.A.
14. Steve Stricker – U.S.A.
15. Ernie Els – South Africa

I'm guessing some of the bottom tier players and many of the women, who are more likely to embrace the Olympic spirit, will take up the coveted beds. But on the men's side it's hard to see anyone in the world top 100 choosing a dorm room over their normal luxury lodging.

Comments

[Chuck]

Zach Johnson said that he would be willing to share a suite with Tiger.

[CT]

Good point Geoff. Just like the NBA players -- there's no way LeBron and Kobe are hanging out in a glorified dorm room.

Do not see where the "olympic spirit" and top-level pro golf intersect.

[DTF]

Tiger's in....will be a line outside his door!

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

Looks like Webb Simpson will be getting the introduction to in-room tv porn from Tiger if these rankings hold for four years.

[dbh]

Fresh off pgatour.com, aka, da troof!:

" 'Anticipation building'

The real excitement for the golf world begins after the Closing Ceremonies in London, when the countdown to 2016 starts."

Countdown! Who doesn't like a good countdown? 10, 9, 8...oh wait...1460, 1459, 1458...

I, for one, welcome 4 years of relentless hype (and product placement) about how this was a good idea.

[Dick Mahoon]

The single guys would be silly to pass up on the free olympic condoms and olympic hotties that go with them methinks.

DM

[elf]

If you want to determine the best (and 2nd and 3rd best) golfer that week you play 72 hole stroke play. But is that the question we want to be asking at the Olympics? I think it would be more interesting to determine the best country. So team format for the win :)

[jgw]

Just give Tiger some ambien and he'll snore the night away in a ditch somewhere, no??

[Beagle]

I actually think some of the guys might embrace the dorm situation, a nice refreshing change of pace for them

[phil]

NHL players traditionally stay in the dorms @ Winter Olympics. Chelios and his Team USA buddies didn't care much for the rooms in Nagano, however.

[kafka01]

They will all chip in and build their own dorm estate for the time being. Something simple and not too extravagant along the lines like this:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.luxist.com/media/2010/08/chatsworth1.jpg

[JP]

Have you heard what happens at the Village? The greatest athletic feats performed during the Olympics are not broadcast...

I do not really see how they will keep Tiger and co. out of the Village.

[smails]

"Do not see where the "olympic spirit" and top-level pro golf intersect"

No offense, but if you can't see this, you haven't been paying attention...Bribes at Salt Lake City, rampant greed/kickbacks to IOC officials, First class "tours" of potential host cities, Samaranch...where do i start...