Golf Olympic qualification system announced

Golfers' qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games will be based on athletes' world rankings over the next two years, golf's world governing body said here Tuesday.

The International Golf Federation (IGF) made the announcement at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, the site of this week's Open Championship, the third major of the men's season, Xinhua reported citing Yonhap news agency.

The two-year qualification period for the Olympic Games will begin this week, the IGF said.

The Olympic golf programme will feature 60 players in each of the men's and women's fields in a 72-hole stroke play competition.

The 60 spots in each will be allocated to players within the top 15 in the world rankings as of July 11, 2016, though no more than four players from one country will be eligible.

The rest of the field will be picked in order from the 16th place and onward in the world rankings, with a maximum of two players per nation for those that don't already have more than two players within the top 15.

Host Brazil will be guaranteed at least one position in each of the men's and the women's competitions, the IGF said.

Also, the continents of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania will be assured of at least one athlete in each of the men's and the women's events.