The race to Paris 2024 will begin to tighten as players jockey for a spot in the 60-player field. But remember, those spots aren’t reserved for the 60 best women in the world. The Olympic qualifying criteria is designed to ensure that players from around the world are represented, even if that means a large portion of the field is ranked outside the top 200. (Currently, that’s 15 of the 60 players.)
With a cutoff date of June 24, or just after the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, players will have roughly six months to shore up a spot. The women’s event will be held Aug. 7-10, immediately after the men’s competition.
First, here’s a review of how qualifying works.
The IGF utilizes the Rolex Rankings to create its own Olympic Golf Rankings. The top 15 players in the world are eligible for Paris, with a limit of four players from any given country. Currently, the United States is the only country with four players.
The rest of the field will come straight from the rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players in the top 15.
The host country, France, is ensured at least one spot, which will go to Celine Boutier, who is currently No. 3 in the world.
With a maximum of four players from the likes of the U.S. and South Korea, a number of highly-decorated players will once again be left at home.
Here’s a look at a dozen notable names (with current Rolex Ranking) currently on the outside looking in:
No. 16 Amy Yang
Despite taking home the largest paycheck in women’s golf at the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship (matching the U.S. Women’s Open at $2 million), Amy Yang is still one spot shy of automatically qualifying for Paris. Yang, a five-time winner on the LPGA, has yet to compete in the Olympic Games.
No. 20 Alison Lee
One of the hottest players on tour with three runner-up showings to finish out the season, Lee is the highest-ranked American currently outside the cut line. There are four Americans currently ranked inside the top 15: Lilia Vu (1), Nelly Korda (5), Allisen Corpuz (12) and Megan Khang (14).
No. 21 Angel Yin
After a banner year on the LPGA, clinching her first victory in a playoff over No. 1 Vu, Yin has herself positioned to make a move inside the top 15. The 25-year-old has never before qualified for the Olympic Games.
No. 25 Rose Zhang
After turning professional last May, Zhang has rocketed up the Rolex Rankings. With fewer starts (18) in the system than many of her peers, Zhang could continue to climb at a quick pace with strong play to open 2024.
No. 27 Yuka Saso
At the 2020 Olympics in Japan, Saso represented the Philippines and finished tied for ninth. She has since, however, switched over to playing under the Japanese flag. Saso, who was born to a Japanese father and Filipino mother, has dual citizenship. There are currently three Japanese players ranked higher than Saso.
No. 30 Hae Ran Ryu
The 2023 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Ryu looks to qualify for her first Olympic Games. In the previous two Olympics, the fight to make the South Korean squad was one of the biggest storylines in women’s golf. Currently, however, only three South Koreans are ranked inside the top 15.
No. 32 Lexi Thompson
Thompson, a two-time Olympian who has the Olympic rings tattooed on her left wrist, has her work cut out to make it for a third time. Right now there are seven Americans ranked higher than Thompson.
No. 37 In Gee Chun
Three-time major winner Chun qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games but didn’t make the cut for Japan. There are currently eight South Korean players ahead of Chun. At this time last year, Chun was No. 8 in the world. She’s currently 37th.
No. 39 Jennifer Kupcho
A three-time winner on the LPGA in 2022, Kupcho looks to qualify for her first Olympic Games. The 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion has nine Americans ranked higher than her.
No. 50 Danielle Kang
Kang qualified for the her first Olympics three years ago in Japan, where she took a share of 20th. Fellow American Nelly Korda won gold in 2021, while sister Jessica tied for 15th and Thompson finished 33rd.
No. 57 Sei Young Kim
Kim has twice qualified for the Olympic Games, taking a share of ninth in 2021 with fellow South Korean Jin Young Ko. A 12-time winner on the LPGA, the 30-year-old last won on tour in 2020.
No. 73 Mone Inami
After taking silver on home soil in 2021, Inami has since joined the LPGA after winning again in Japan at the Toto Japan Classic. Mone won six times on the JLPGA in 2021. She’ll have to leapfrog a slew of compatriots to make it to Paris.
