It’s been a long wait, 112 years to be exact, for golf’s return to the Olympic Games. The golf competitions begin with the men from August 11-14, followed by the women from August 17-20 and Gerina Piller and Amy Yang will be heading the Rio for the summer games to represent their country.
“You know, to be honest, coming into this year, I didn't even think I had a shot at the Olympics,” explained Piller as she waited for play to end at the U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday. “So to be in the situation, I think, is a success in itself. Even to be considered and being that close to being in the Olympics, I think is pretty special.”
Piller will join Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson representing the United States.
The following is Piller’s statement regarding her qualifying for the US Olympic Golf Team following her T8 finish at the US Women’s Open at Cordevalle:
“I am honored to have earned a spot on the United States Golf team for the Olympic Games in Rio next month.
Representing my country at the world’s greatest athletic event would be an honor and privilege unlike any other, so I am excited to announce that I will be going to Rio!
I look forward to playing alongside Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson as we try to bring glory to American golf and grow interest in women’s golf worldwide."
With six players ranked inside the top 15 and only four spots available the Republic of Korea had the tightest race to Rio.
Joining Yang in the top four spots are Inbee Park, Sei Young Kim, and In Gee Chun, although Park’s participation is questionable due to her thumb injury.
Yang hasn’t let herself imagine what it would be like to be in Rio representing her country but was certainly focused on making the team.
“I’m very honored to be a part of Team Korea,” said Yang. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Golf is very big in Korea,” Yang on being an Olympian. “To make it on the Olympic team is a huge thing, you know. I think it would be same for any other countries, too.”
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