Dutch golf star Joost Luiten has expressed his frustration after the International Golf Federation (IGF) barred him from playing in the Olympics despite winning a court case.
Dutch golf star Joost Luiten has unleashed his anger at the International Golf Federation (IGF) after his efforts to play for the Netherlands in the Olympics were blocked in the days leading up to the Games.
Luiten missed the cut at The Open Championship last Friday and did not hold back his feelings about the IGF's handling of his situation.
Dutch Golfer Joost Luiten Blasts Olympic Organizers after Missed Cut
He had won a court case in the Netherlands that would have put him in the Olympic tournament, but the IGF revealed that the spot had already been taken.
"I'm the one who is out. I'm the one who is f---ed," Luiten said at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland, via Golf Week. "I'm over it now. I spent a lot of money on a court case to win it. And then you win it, and then they say, ‘F--- it, you’re still not in because someone else f---ed up.’ That’s the annoying thing."
Dutch Golfer Joost Luiten Blasts Olympic Organizers after Missed Cut
"It’s mistake after mistake after mistake, and no one wants to own up to it. And nobody wants to make it right. And now I’m in a position where I don’t know what to do."
Luiten called IGF officials a "bunch of amateurs" and said they should make the Olympic golf event an amateur event because of it.
Dutch Golfer Joost Luiten Blasts Olympic Organizers after Missed Cut
Luiten shot a 75 and a 76 in the first and second rounds, respectively, of The Open Championship.
The 35-year-old had initially qualified for the Olympics, but was prohibited by his home country, the Netherlands, because he was not in the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Then, the IGF made its decision after he won the court ruling.
"When the International Golf Federation (IGF) received notification of Joost Luiten’s court ruling in the Netherlands and his entry from the Netherlands’ National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF), his unused quota spot had already been reallocated pursuant to the IGF’s published qualification procedures," the IGF said in a statement.
"The IGF was not a party to the legal action brought forth by Luiten in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, in an effort to support Luiten, the IGF sought an exception from the IOC to increase the field size of the men's Olympic golf competition from 60 to 61 competitors to include Luiten. However, the request was denied by the IOC today. The IGF has advised Luiten of the IOC's decision, and he has not informed the IGF whether he intends to pursue this matter further."
Luiten said Friday that he would instead be taking a vacation in Mallorca, Spain, and could be available should an Olympian drop out at the last minute.
Luiten's frustration underscores the complex and often frustrating qualification process for the Olympics. The IGF, which governs golf at the Olympics, has come under fire for its handling of this case and for its overall qualification system.
The IGF's decision to deny Luiten a spot in the Olympics is a blow to the Dutch golfer and to the Netherlands team. Luiten is a two-time European Tour winner and one of the most experienced players on the Dutch team.
His absence from the Olympics will be a major loss for the Netherlands, which is hoping to make a strong showing in the men's golf competition.
The IGF's decision has also raised questions about the fairness of the Olympic qualification system. Luiten met the criteria set by the IGF, but he was denied a spot in the Olympics due to a technicality.
This decision has left Luiten feeling frustrated and angry, and it has also raised questions about the IGF's ability to manage the Olympic golf competition.
