It’s been more than 100 years since golf was last played in the Olympics, but that will change in 2016. The standard 72-hole individual strokeplay format will be used with a field of 60 players in each section (men’s and women’s). The Mole really hopes this doesn’t turn out to be a damp squib...

“We are elated that the IOC membership has accepted golf as an Olympic sport, and look forward to seeing the world’s best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee, which has coordinated golf’s Olympic bid. “We thank the IOC for its support, and also congratulate rugby sevens for its inclusion in the 2016 Games.”

So who qualifies? The top-15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players would be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.

Not really fair in the Mole’s opinion, the Americans are going to be penalised in a big way. But that’s the Olympics for you. Tiger should take the first gold medal; one wonders how badly the billionaire wants to win an Olympic medal? Not a record Jack is going to be able to beat now is it.

Oh, and another point, Rio de Janeiro doesn’t have a decent golf course. Only a slight problem. No doubt the Player Group is already putting together a proposal for the first Gary Player Signature Course in the shadows of the Sugarloaf Mountain... But “yay” for golf, it’s in the Olympics!