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2021 men’s Olympic golf: Top 10 power rankings at Kasumigaseki CC

By Mike Randleman

Hideki Matsuyama reacts after putting the 17th during the first round of Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Thursday, July 1, 2021.
Hideki Matsuyama reacts after putting the 17th during the first round of Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Thursday, July 1, 2021. /
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Jul 15, 2021; Sandwich, England, GBR; Rory McIlroy looks down the fairway on the 18th tee during the first round of the Open Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2021; Sandwich, England, GBR; Rory McIlroy looks down the fairway on the 18th tee during the first round of the Open Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports /

Rory McIlroy is still capable of playing world class golf. We continue to see it on a pretty consistent basis on the PGA Tour. His rhythmic, powerful swing still looks smooth.

Surely, the seven-year major championship drought is weighing heavier and heavier. The Tokyo Olympics are a chance to forget about these transgressions and add a new accomplishment to a resume with four majors and significant contributions to winning European Ryder Cup teams.

McIlroy opted out of the 2016 Olympics and seems a little reluctant coming to Tokyo, which is a rightful feeling for anyone to hold given the circumstances. Once McIlroy arrives on site and begins to absorb the (limited) Olympic atmosphere, I think his tune will change.

A strong finish to 2021 here, in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and at Whistling Straits could be the kick start he needs going to 2022 and Augusta where the career grand slam questions will ramp back up.

McIlroy comes to Japan on a run of six made cuts in his last seven events. He won this spring at the Wells Fargo Championship and has five top-10s worldwide in 2021.

McIlroy is in the positive in all strokes gained categories on the PGA Tour, including a high of eighth off the tee (.636). The 32-year-old is also 30th on approach (.501). It might be a surprise to see he’s fourth in proximity from 100-125 yards (17’2”).

Speaking of fourth, that’s where McIlroy sits in birdie average (4.36).

It’s easy to take a doom and gloom approach to Rory’s game based on disappointing results in majors and forget that he’s still out there beating 90-some percent of the competition.

With a wet golf course and only 59 other players to beat, McIlroy should be licking his chops at an opportunity he never thought possible in his sport growing up in Holywood, Northern Ireland.

“Who would have thought I’d be going to the Olympics? Especially me, a golfer who isn’t going to be doing the 100 (meter) anyway,” McIlroy was quoted earlier this month by the BBC. “It’s going to be a cool experience. My brother is coming to caddy for me. He has caddied for me before and has done a good job.”

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