SAMMAMISH, Wash. – The Paris Olympics is so close, gold medalist Nelly Korda can practically taste the croissants. The cutoff for the 60-player field ends after this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA, and there could be a good bit of last-minute shuffling.
Team USA currently consists of three players but that could jump to four. The top 15 players in the world are eligible for Paris, with a limit of four players from any given country.
Currently, no country has four players in the top 15.
The rest of the field will come straight from the rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players in the top 15. The women’s portion of the competition is scheduled for Aug. 7-10, immediately following the men’s event.
The Rolex Rankings will be finalized on Monday. Here’s a look at projections for the weekend:
United States
Ally Ewing of the United States hits a tee shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 21, 2024 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu have clinched their spots for Paris. Rose Zhang, No. 9 in the Rolex Rankings, advanced to the weekend in Sahalee and will likely be going.
Lexi Thompson would need to win or finish solo second to jump into the top 15 and secure a spot. Ally Ewing, who began Saturday in the top 10 at Sahalee, is No. 19 in the rankings and would need a solo fifth or better to have a chance. Alison Corpuz (ranked 23rd) needs to finish solo third or better.
Jennifer Kupcho must win to have a chance.
Allison Lee (No. 18) and Meghan Khang (No. 16) missed the cut and have been eliminated from the race.
Japan
Hinako Shibuno of Japan looks on after playing the 12th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 21, 2024 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Yuka Saso recently shored up an Olympic spot for Japan with her victory at the U.S. Women’s, moving up to No. 6 in the world.
The race for Japan’s second spot, or even a third, couldn’t be tighter. Ayaka Furue (No. 20 in the world) began the weekend T-23 while Miyu Yamashita (No. 22) was tied for sixth after two rounds.
Nasa Hataoka got bumped out of the second spot after a gut-wrenching disqualification at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. She missed the cut at Sahalee and has been eliminated.
Hinako Shibuno began Saturday at the KPMG two shots back and would need to win to have a shot at qualifying. The 2019 AIG Women’s Open winner finished runner-up at the USWO.
South Korea
Amy Yang of South Korea hits a tee shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 21, 2024 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It’s slim but possible that South Korea could have four players in Paris.
As it stands, Jin Young Ko (No. 7) and Hyo Joo Kim (No. 12) are in. But Amy Yang (25th) could do the same with a solo third or better. Haeran Ryu (29th) could play her way into the top 15 with a second place or better.
Ryu and Yang would need to finish 1-2 for both to jump into the top 15 and give South Korea four representatives.
Sweden
Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden laughs as she walks off the 13th hole green during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 20, 2024 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
As it stands, Maja Stark (No. 17) and Linn Grant (No. 27) have the two spots for Sweden. Madelene Sagstrom (27th) could play her way in with a strong weekend.
Tournament format, times
This year, golf’s fourth and final men’s major – the Open Championship – is not the last big tournament those golfers will play in. The Open is July 18-21. The Paris Games begin on July 26 with the men’s golf tournament roughly one week after the Opening Ceremony and the women’s tournament the following week. The LPGA’s last tournament before Paris is the Portland Classic, Aug. 1-4.
Each competition is a four-day affair using stroke-play rules with gold, silver and bronze medals awaiting the top three finishers in each.
