Tokyo Olympics: Justin Thomas, Nelly Korda to lead eight-member US team

Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau made the cut last week for the men’s event. Nelly Korda is joined by Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and her sister Jessica Korda for the women’s event at Tokyo.

Published : Jul 01, 2021 11:48 IST

Nelly Korda of the U.S. hoists the trophy after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament.
Nelly Korda of the U.S. hoists the trophy after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament.
lightbox-info

Nelly Korda of the U.S. hoists the trophy after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament.

Golfers Justin Thomas and Nelly Korda are set to lead the American charge at the Tokyo Olympics next month after USA Golf on Wednesday confirmed the eight athletes taking part.

Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau — ranked two to five in the Olympic Golf Rankings behind Spaniard Jon Rahm — made the cut last week.

The top 15 ranked men and women are eligible for the Olympics with a maximum of four athletes from each country.

READ: Nelly Korda vaults to No. 1 in world rankings

DeChambeau took the fourth and final spot after world number two Dustin Johnson said in March that he would not compete in the men's tournament as he wanted to focus on the British Open and the PGA Tour.

Korda, ranked number one in the Olympic Golf Ranking, is joined by Danielle Kang (fifth), Lexi Thompson (ninth) and her sister Jessica Korda (13th).

"Team USA will again have the largest contingent of players in the Olympic golf competition with eight of golf's stars giving the United States a strong chance at reaching the podium," USA Golf executive director Andy Levinson said.

Thompson is the only player who participated in the 2016 event in Rio when golf made a return to the Olympics for just the second time since 1904.

The men's competition will take place from July 29-Aug. 1 while the women compete on Aug. 4-7 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, Japan.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment