A throwaway comment by Rory McIlroy after he missed out on a bronze medal was worth its weight in gold as golf’s much talked-about acceptance in the Olympic Games was reinforced following two glorious weeks at Tokyo 2020.
The tangible byproduct of golf earning full medal status in the Olympics has been investment by countries into the golf’s infrastructure, regardless of whether or not their athletes earn a medal.
Here are five prospective Olympians for whom just making it to the first tee at Tokyo’s Kasumigaseki Country Club will bring attention to parts of the world not known for golf.