Bryson DeChambeau has established himself as one of the best golfers in the world with his performances in major tournaments during the 2024 golf season.
Despite his strong performance, DeChambeau will not be able to represent his country at the Paris Olympics, and the 30-year-old will not be able to perform well enough at the 2024 U.S. Open to qualify ahead of other Americans for a spot on the U.S. team’s four-man roster.
Why did DeChambeau miss out on the Olympics? It all has to do with his relationship with LIV Golf and the disconnect between that tour and the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
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Why isn’t Bryson DeChambeau playing in the Olympics?
DeChambeau is ineligible to compete in the Olympics due to his ranking in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
DeChambeau entered the U.S. Open ranked 38th overall in the OWGR, a significant improvement from his 155th place finish in the 2023 season and a likely improvement following a strong showing at the 2024 U.S. Open.
Still, DeChambeau’s progress probably won’t be enough to become one of just four Americans ranked in the top 10 in the OWGR.
If DeChambeau were playing on the PGA Tour, he’d almost certainly be a top-four ranked American, maybe even a top-five player in the world.
But LIV golf events are not recognized by the OWGR, and the rankings system challenges the tour’s 54-hole format, minimal turnover in the field from week to week and season to season, and the guarantee that players can participate regardless of performance.
That means DeChambeau won’t earn OWGR points in LIV golf events, and because he only earns points in major tournaments, he’s likely to perform well enough in major tournaments to rocket into the top 20 but not enough to overtake the top Americans competing for spots in Paris, such as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa.
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Can LIV golfers compete in the Olympics?
Yes, LIV golfers can compete in the Olympics, but they will have a harder path to qualification since they cannot earn OWGR points in regular events.
That could make it harder for a golfer like DeChambeau, who comes from a country with plenty of high-end golf options, to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But a golfer like Jon Rahm, who joined LIV Golf late but is still ranked in the top 10 in the world rankings, would easily qualify to represent Spain in the tournament. The same can be said about Poland’s Adrian Melonk, who is the only Polish golfer ranked in the top 100 of the OWGR, so he should easily be among the 60 competitors.
Can LIV golfers play for Team USA?
Yes, Team USA did not ban LIV golf participants from playing on the country’s Olympic golf team, it’s just that the Olympic qualifying system has made it very difficult for American LIV golfers to be selected for the team unless they win multiple major events.
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Who will be on the U.S. Olympic Golf Team?
The United States is currently expected to be the only country to bring four golfers to Paris. Currently, the top four Americans in the OWGR are:
- Scottie Scheffler (1)
- Xander Schauffele (2)
- Wyndham Clark (4)
- Collin Morikawa (7)
The top two places are already decided, but all eyes will be on Patrick Cantlay in the final round of the U.S. Open. A win at his first major would give Cantlay a big boost in the OWGR and secure him a spot on the team, but a third place finish or lower would see Clarke and Morikawa clinch a spot on the team.
Either way, DeChambeau probably won’t be good enough to make the Olympic team, but his win will still spark a discussion about giving LIV golfers more frequent opportunities to earn OWGR points.
How does Olympic golf qualifying work?
For more information on the Olympic qualification process and to see the 60 men’s golfers currently competing in the tournament, click here
