Golf a step closer to Olympics – PGA Championship
CHASKA, Minn. – They’re not quite ready to tee it up, but it appears that golf is about to join the Olympic Games, and this – though rumored recently – was confirmed Thursday at the PGA Championship.Ty Votaw, a PGA Tour official acting as Executive Director for the International Golf Federation’s Olympic bid, joined PGA CEO Joe Steranka in a joint announcement at Hazeltine.
“It takes an important step closer to golf to return as an Olympic sport,” said Votaw. “The IOC (Intenational Olympic Committee) has the final say. It does not have to follow the board’s recommendations, but clearly, if we did not receive the recommendation, the great likelihood would be that our campaign would be over. We are obviously thrilled.”
Golf would be added for the 2016 Olympics.
Ironically, Jack Nicklaus at the time was in Beijing, China -- site of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
“We are thrilled with the news that golf has been selected by the Executive Board of the IOC as one of the sports recommended for final consideration in October,” Nicklaus said. “Obviously, the IOC recognizes the merit of golf as a global sport, and that golf’s traditions and inherent ideals embody the Olympic spirit. I am proud of golf’s united front and all the players and organizations which have supported
this coordinated campaign. On behalf of the International Golf Federation and all those who, like me, believe so strongly in our sport, we look forward to the vote in October and hopefully more positive news.”
Tiger Woods, on being asked about golf in the Olympics: “I’d love to play for the rugby team. That would be great.”
SHOT OF THE DAY -- Rod Pampling holed his lob-wedge second from 98 yards for an eagle at the par-4 No. 6. He shot 74.
HOT FIELD – The PGA started with 97 of the top 100 ranked players in the world in the field. It would have been 98 except for the withdrawal of Paul Casey.
SOME THREESOME -- The combined scoring average of the pairing of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Rich Beem today was 68.67. Beem, the 2002 PGA champ at Hazeltine, birdied three straight from the 16th for a 71. Woods got three of his five birdies at par-5 holes, Nos. 3, 7 and 15.
ODDS AND ENDS – John Daly shot 76 and then withdrew, citing back pains … Great-looking 70 – Paul Goydos bogeyed the first two holes then birdied four of the next six and shot the 2-under 70 … Paul Casey, No. 3 in the world, withdrew before the start, still limited by the chest injury he suffered on a practice range swing before the British Open; he was replaced in the field by Tim Petrovic.
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