It’s a sentiment that appears to be shared by all the 60 players who will start on Thursday morning in the first men’s Olympic golf competition since 1904.
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Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar slid into qualifying spots with Spieth and Johnson opting out, joining Fowler and Bubba Watson on the USA squad.
“There will certainly be guys regretting not showing up”, Kuchar said. I always had a hope I could make it and to be here now is quite awesome. Logically will I get another chance in 2020?
McIlroy, who had previously declared his intention to represent Ireland ahead of Great Britain, said his decision not to compete was not a hard one because golf at the Olympics wasn’t one of the sports that “matters”. “It’s a fantastic experience'”.
And so far, so good, for the players who made a decision to fearless Rio.
The world number eight posted a host of pictures of himself posing with other athletes during the opening ceremony, including Irish boxer Paddy Barnes and 19-time gold medallist swimmer Michael Phelps.
“If I’m third, I’m going to make sure I don’t go back to fourth real quick”, said two-time Masters champion Watson.
“I rode back to the village with Andy and it was good to get some insights in his world and catch up”.
‘This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time, ‘ said Willett.
Probably asked the most about Jordan and Rory (McIlroy) and I told them I tried to get Jordan down here as much as possible and told them we all respect the decisions that were made, whether it was anything around schedule, health concerns or anxious about security and that’s possibly one thing that I’ve relayed back since we’ve been down here. “I haven’t had a problem and I definitely feel safe here”. I’ve gotten to know some of the divers pretty well and the last couple of nights we’ve watched the swimming together.
Asked what reaction his messages had elicited, the 27-year-old added: “I wouldn’t say disappointment”.
“We all respect the decisions that were made; whether it was anything around schedule or health concerns or anxious about security, and that’s possibly one thing I’ve relayed back since we’ve been down here”, Fowler said during his Tuesday press conference.
“It’s inspiring to watch fellow US athletes do well, compete, get a medal, gold, whatever it may be”, Fowler said. “It’s a really cool feeling to see them reaching out”.
The Olympic format allowed for a maximum of four players to represent one country at the Rio Games (and only if they were all ranked inside the top 15 in the world). “So it gives you a little bit more appreciation for what the Olympics is”.
Team USA has four golfers in Rio; Ricky Fowler, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, and Matt Kutcher.
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‘Danny has been chatting a lot with the Murrays and clearly has loved the experience, ‘ said Jamie Spence, Team GB’s golf manager.
