By: Max Bechtoldt
While only a couple of teams will be able to travel more than two players to the Paris Olympics, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a deep list of star-studded countries. Here, I will count down the top five duos who would currently qualify for the Olympics. This doesn’t include countries like The United States and South Korea, who at the moment would bring more than just two.
5. Sweden – Linn Grant, Maja Stark
Right now, Sweden would travel a duo of young Solheim Cup stars. Since 2021 Stark has seven victories, six on the Ladies European Tour and one on the LPGA Tour. In that time, Linn Grant has six wins, five on the LET and one on the LPGA. Both Stark and Grant have strong breakout potential in 2024 stateside and should form a solid Swedish duo moving forward.
4. England – Charley Hull, Georgia Hall
If you are looking for a good bet at hitting the medal stand, Hull might be it. In 2023, her best season on tour, she had four runner-up finishes, rising to No. 7 in the world rankings. Her friend of 17 years, Georgia Hall, is a major champion and has been a consistent force on the Solheim Cup teams for Europe.
3. China – Xiyu Lin, Ruoning Yin
Quietly, China has become a bit of a force in women’s golf. Ruoning Yin was a huge breakout in 2023, winning twice including a major championship, at one point rising to No. 1 in the world. She currently sits at No. 4. Xiyu Lin rounds out this team, ranked No. 10 in the world. This is the only duo with both players in the top ten in the world. Lin hasn’t yet won, but had seven top 10s in 2023.
2. Japan – Nasa Hataoka, Ayaka Furue
Who actually ends up on this team is anyone’s guess, at the moment it would be Hataoka and Furue, but there Miyu Yamashita and Yuka Saso are both within four spots of Furue. Hataoka is one of the most under the radar stars on the LPGA Tour, with six wins since 2018. Furue is one of the most consistent players on tour, having made the cut in all eight appearances so far, with four top-10s.
I. Australia – Minjee Lee, Hannah Green
Australia has really had a big moment over the last couple years on the LPGA Tour, mostly because of the influence of the legendary Karrie Webb. They’ll send out two bonafide stars in Minjee Lee and Hannah Green. Lee and Green are both major champions, with Lee having two along with 10 total wins. Green is no slouch though and is playing good golf, with four career wins and one in each of the last two seasons.
