News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/26th April 2024
Indian golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar are gearing up for the Paris Olympics, with strong chances of qualification for Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar. Aditi, set to make her third Olympic appearance, holds the record for the most Olympic appearances by an Indian golfer, while Diksha will compete for the second time. Sharma and Bhullar are poised for their maiden Olympic journey.
Aditi’s notable performance at the Tokyo Games 2020, where she finished fourth, remains a highlight of Indian golfing history. The Indian Golf Union manages the Olympic entries, which are determined by rankings based on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
The qualification process allocates 60 spots each for men’s and women’s categories. The top 15 players in the OWGR earn direct entry to the Olympics, with a maximum of four golfers allowed from a single country. Following the top 15, the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) consider up to two eligible players per country, ensuring a diverse representation.
Despite impressive performances, Indian-American golfers Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia face hurdles in Olympic qualification due to the dominance of American players in the rankings. Theegala, ranked 12th, secured two runner-up finishes in 2024, while Bhatia, ranked 33rd, clinched his second PGA Tour title and qualified for the Masters. However, with eight Americans in the top 15, their Olympic prospects are slim.
Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay lead the American contingent, with Max Homa and Brian Haran also ahead of Theegala. The limited Olympic slots further restrict opportunities for non-American golfers, as only four players can represent each country in the Games.
In the women’s category, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar continue to strive for Olympic qualification. Despite a modest 2024 season, Aditi maintains her position in the top 50, while Diksha’s consistent performances elevate her to 138th in the world rankings.
Diksha’s strong form, with top-ten finishes in five starts on the Ladies European Tour and promising outings on the Epson Tour, bolsters her Olympic aspirations. With the Olympic qualifiers limited to the top 60 players, both Aditi and Diksha aim to secure their spots and showcase India’s prowess on the global stage.
As Indian golfers prepare to compete at the highest level, their journey reflects the growing prominence of golf in the country and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Aditi, Diksha, Sharma, and Bhullar embody the spirit of determination and resilience, inspiring a new generation of golf enthusiasts in India and beyond.
