GolfTalkCentral

Looking ahead: Golf in 2016 Olympics

By Golf Channel Digital
Dec 3, 2012 2:51 PM ET

The meaningful golf over for 2012, it seems an ideal time to look ahead a few years. Or, more pointedly, to the 2016 Olympics, which represents the first time in more than 100 years that golf will be included in the Summer Games.

Though the format is subject to change, the competition currently will feature 60 men and 60 women in separate 72-hole stroke-play tournaments that will award gold, silver and bronze medals.

The top 15 players in the Official World Ranking and Rolex World Ranking automatically qualify, but each country is allowed no more than four players if they are among the top 15. After the top 15, countries can be represented by no more than two of their highest-ranked players if not already qualified.

So, if the competition began tomorrow, and using the latest world rankings, here are some of the players in the mix to compete in the event in Rio de Janeiro:

MEN:

U.S.: Tiger Woods, Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson

Great Britain: Rory McIlroy (may compete for Ireland), Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood

South Africa: Louis Oosthuizen, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace

Australia: Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Marcus Fraser, Greg Chalmers

Spain: Sergio Garcia, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Rafael Cabrera-Bello

WOMEN:

U.S. : Stacy Lewis, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome

South Korea: Na Yeon Choi, Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin, So Yeon Ryu

Japan: Ai Miyazato, Mika Miyazato, Chie Arimura

Sweden: Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Hedwall, Maria Hjorth

Spain: Azahara Munoz, Carlota Ciganda, Beatriz Recari