After missing a century in the Olympics, golf was reinstated in the decorated event only in 2016. Since then, only two players have clinched a gold medal, Xander Schauffele, at the 2020 Tokyo Games and Justin Rose at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. But in these past 8 years, 16 majors have been held, and there have been many winners. Jon Rahm was asked about his opinion on which mattered more, as he has won the majors two times in his career, and not Olympic gold. Needless to say, the Spaniard found it hard to answer and at first said that Rose and Schauffele could probably give their verdict on it.

Rahm was hesitant because the game of golf was being held at the Olympics only for a third time in the past 8 years, so the history wasn’t as rich as for the four majors. Which made him say, “Golf’s history with the Olympics is so young right now that it may not have the magnitude or recognition that it could have in the future.” Furthermore, fortunately, or unfortunately, the four majors will always be the biggest part of the sport for the fans, said Rahm in the press conference, because to them it meant more because many legends have won the majors but not a gold.

However, on a personal level, Rahm argued, “To be able to win a Gold Medal for your country is always going to have much more meaning for yourself than it might to the public, right?” Yet, he couldn’t compare the majors and the Olympic gold side by side. He reiterated how hard it was to judge the two through the same lens when he had not won the gold medal, just yet.

So, the Spaniard told the press to ask him this question again after the final round on Sunday, August 4th, if he came out as the gold medalist from the demanding Le Golf National. Then, they might have the answer to which mattered more, majors or the gold medal. While Rahm couldn’t jump to one answer, the Northern Irishman was more clear about where Olympic gold was in the golf wins hierarchy.

Rory McIlroy reveals where Olympic gold compares to majors

Once, Rory McIlroy wasn’t sure if golf at the Olympics mattered among other sports, which have been played for decades. However, he was proven wrong after playing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And winning the Olympic medal meant more now, as last time he had to suffice with a fourth-place finish after losing in a seven-man playoff.

Coming off of an unfortunate end at Royal Troon, McIlroy was also asked at the press conference where the Olympic medal stands concerning the four majors. The 4-time major winner expressed that he wouldn’t be able to answer where the gold medal would sit in the hierarchy of his career achievements until “everything is said and done.” 

However, he could give a timeline for when the gold medal might mean as much as the majors. The 35-year-old explained that once golf has been played for a longer period, “if anything, [Olympic gold medal] will be able to sit alongside the majors,” said McIlroy. He agreed that the four majors were the gold standard. But “in time, [Olympics] going to be right up there amongst that.”

It remains to be seen whether the Olympic gold medal will sit beside the major trophies or not, as McIlroy and Rahm predicted. Ultimately, it will take time for the Olympic gold to have a similar value.