Many of the European Tour’s finest Asian golfers will be aiming to claim an historic victory this week when they tee off in the first round of golf to be played in the Olympic Games in 112 years.
Of the 60-strong field at the Olympic Golf Course, 16 hail from Asia, including Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, India’s Anirban Lahiri and Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman.
With 23 European Tour wins between the Asian contingent in Rio, Jaidee accounts for eight of those victories and the oldest player in the field, at 46 years of age, is eager to attain what he would consider one of the most prestigious triumphs of his decorated career.
“In my life, I never thought golf would be played in the Olympics,” said this year’s 100th Open de France winner.
“I’m 47 this year and I’m looking forward to representing my country. I’ve won many events in Asia and Europe and I’ve played in all the Major tournaments. The only sporting event missing from my career is playing in the Olympics, so it really ranks on top of my list.
“The goal is to win in any tournament which I’m playing in, but if I do win a medal at the Olympics, it will be an entirely different story. When you win for your country, the feeling is definitely better than winning for yourself.”
Rahman, meanwhile, has already earned himself a place in Bangladeshi sporting folklore after becoming the first athlete from the country to earn his Olympics place on merit – all others have earned their places through the wildcard process.
The 31 year old was his nation’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony on Friday and his humble beginnings would make success this week one of the stories of the Games.
“My mother sent me out to work because I needed to fund my studies,” said Rahman.
“I eventually learned how to play golf. It wasn’t easy as I didn’t have any golf clubs, so what I did was combine old or unused club heads which I stuck them onto iron rods. I would watch other golfers play and follow their swings.
“Previously no Bangladeshi has qualified for the Olympics, although there have been athletes from my country receiving wild cards to participate. I’m really inspired. If I can win a medal, that would be the best thing to happen in my life.”
Lahiri won twice on the European Tour last season, triumphing at the Maybank Malaysian Open in February, before getting the better of fellow countryman SSP Chawrasia in a play-off to win his home Open two weeks later in New Delhi.
The 29 year old believes that winning a medal on Sunday could have significant long-term effects on his native India.
“It would mean a lot to India to get a medal out of a game like golf, as that will probably put the sport in the forefront,” he said.
“To me, the Olympics is a very important event because it will spark the popularity of golf in India and have the government take a stronger initiative to promote the sport.”
