Olympic legend: Gold medal will become golf’s fifth major

An Olympic gold medal will, in time, become men’s golf’s fifth major. So says a Team GB icon.

Golf’s reintroduction to the Games at Rio de Janeiro in 2016 caused considerable controversy. Many commentators claimed its involvement cheapened a gold medal on account of winning a major championship being a greater achievement.

However, after successful stagings in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and most recently Paris last year, that argument has lost some credibility.

Three-time Olympic medallist Kriss Akabusi has seen this all before.

The track star was in Barcelona in 1992 when a rule change meant that current NBA stars were allowed to play Olympic basketball. Until then, players had to be amateur to be eligible.

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“When the NBA stars joined, you’d look at these world-class stars and some might think, well, this isn’t the high point of their careers,” Akabusi told bunkered. “Not like it was for the rest of us.

“When you are an Olympian, you are sui generis, you are one of a kind. You’re, as the Germans say, ‘ausgezeichnet’.

“So, I understand the proposition. But I can only tell you how I felt walking around the Olympic village and seeing, you know, Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing walking around. It was incredible. A real ‘wow’ moment.

“You think, ‘If these guys are here, and these are world-class superstars, famous superstars, then maybe there’s a little bit of me that is at that level.’

“So, I’m not against golf being part of the Olympics. In fact, I honestly think it will, in time, become the fifth major. It might not happen in our lifetime, but I think it will get there.”

Akabusi was speaking to bunkered ahead of the upcoming Captains Cup at Trump Turnberry.

Organised by Luxe Scot, the event sees two teams of celebrities – one captained by Paul McGinley, the other by Catriona Matthew – go head-to-head in a fun but highly competitive match.

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Akabusi played in last year’s inaugural contest at Gleneagles and is counting down the days until this year’s renewal.

“The Luxe Scot boys, their genius and their bonhomie and their fun and the way they pull this whole thing together, it’s just brilliant,” he added.

Glenn Hoddle, Tony Bellew, Ryan Giggs and Sir Kenny Dalglish, as well as Robbie Fowler, Greg Rusedski and Brian McFadden, are just some of the other names confirmed for the event… and you can join them!

Teams of three are invited to enter, playing alongside one of the celebs on the spectacular Ailsa Course on the Ayrshire coast.

By taking part, you will also get to attend the gala dinner and prize-giving, enjoy an overnight stay at Trump Turnberry, and receive a Luxe team goodie bag, branded team shirts, on-course hospitality, return transport, and so much more.

Entry is priced at £5,800 for a team of three or £1,933 for individuals.

Find out more at captains-cup.golf

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content