Noora Komulainen and Ursula Wikström are handsome in the latest, published on June 11 52nd and 58th in the women’s Olympic ranking listwhen the sport’s Olympic tournament in Paris can accommodate 60 female and 60 male players.
A week ago, the Finnish duo were still in the Olympic reserves. In the combined men’s and women’s competition held in Helsingborg last weekend, Komulainen reached a shared 12th place and Wikström qualified for 46th through the final round.
Before the closing of the Olympic rankings, on June 24, the women’s program includes two tournaments on both the LPGA Tour and the LET side. The men’s Olympic ranking closes already next week on June 17.
One of the Finnish women playing behind the rapako Matilda Castren is also within striking distance of an Olympic place. In the LPGA Tour competitions, the points pot is so large that Castren can get into the competition machine in Paris by reaching the middle class ranking.
Golf’s third new arrival in Paris
Golf returned as an Olympic sport in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 after a hiatus of over a hundred years. Finland has had two male and two female players in the two previous Olympics.
Eight years ago in Rio they were involved Roope Second, Mikko Ilonen and Komulainen and Wikström. They got to represent Finland in Tokyo in 2021 Kalle Samoa, Sami Välimäki and Castren and Sanna Nuutinen.
Golf is participating for the third time after its new Olympic appearance. In Paris, Välimäki – the 34th in the men’s Olympic ranking – will at least get another Olympic experience under his belt, possibly also two of the trio Komulainen, Wikström and Castren.
The men’s side should not be forgotten Tapio from Pulka, who is nominated for Paris in second place in the most recent Olympic ranking. Claiming a direct Olympic spot would practically require him to finish top at this week’s Challenge Tour in Brno, Czech Republic. The absence of eligible players from Paris can also bring Pulkkanen a place to play later.
Castren, who finished 18th in Tokyo, was able to achieve the best Finnish golf Olympic ranking.
Komunainen still unsure of his place
The Komulainen himself didn’t get to watch Olympic golf when he was young or even dream of Olympic medals in the sport, when the sport was not part of the Olympic family for more than a hundred years.
– Of course, it’s always a privilege if you get to represent Finland, especially at the Olympics. When I was young, I always followed the Olympics, but of course not golf, as the sport only came back to the selection in Rio.
Komulainen still does not consider his own Olympic place sealed.
– Loppää’s ranking positions can live a long time, also among us Finns. It won’t be clear until a couple of weeks from now, by no means is it certain yet.
In Rio in 2016, at the age of 25, Komulainen was “sniffing” the atmosphere of the competition. He is sure that the experience would help what he is doing now.
– It would be great to represent Finland at the Olympics as a player eight years more experienced. Of course, it’s the dream that interests me.
At the Rio Olympics 2016, Komulainen’s ranking was tied for 48th with a result of +11.
– In Rio, our games were not good by any means. I feel that I am a better player now than I was eight years ago. If I make it to Paris now, of course I want to improve on my previous performance.
In the women’s summits, there are no omissions to Paris
Komulainen says that he has not heard that any top female golfer has announced that he will miss the Olympics.
– The Olympics are a big deal in many countries, including the United States. For example, the number one in the world golf rankings, the Olympic champion in Tokyo Nelly Korda and how the Olympics are a big deal to him too.
According to Komulainen, even in previous Olympic tournaments, there have been no players on the women’s side who would not have gone to play in Rio or Tokyo.
– In my opinion, there have been more top golf players among men who did not want to come to the Olympics. I believe that it would be a great merit for everyone if an Olympic medal could be found in the closet, thinks Komulainen, who as an amateur won the World Championship bronze in the Team Game in 2012.
Komulainen is ranked 281 on the world golf list. The best Finn, Sami Välimäki, is 99th on the world list. Can you even dream of an Olympic medal from those starting points?
– Yes, it requires complete success, at least the best week for me. But on the other hand, why wouldn’t it be possible. The best, perfect week here is what I’m always trying to achieve. I believe that you can have the best week at your level even with good rankings, Komulainen says.
Motherhood changed me mentally
Noora played in Rio under the maiden name Tamminen. In 2017, she married her caddy and golfing boyfriend Roope Komulainen with and took her husband’s last name.
Komulainen has taken her game to a new level after returning from maternity leave three years ago.
A three year old Elli– the year 2022 after the girl’s birth was still challenging and difficult for her in competitive golf, when the athlete’s body physically changed due to pregnancy and childbirth.
After the first year of maternity leave, Komulainen did not get the full right to play on the main European tour, the Ladies European Tour.
– When I missed the card, it gave me the same feeling that, damn it, I have to be able to do better. I thought that if I’m here as a mother away from my child, then I have to play better.
Komulainen says that motherhood has changed her thinking a lot. Nowadays, it is easy to put things in the right proportions. Golf is just golf. Family is the most important of all.
– Motherhood has only brought me good things, also for mental performance. I decided that my goal was to play the best golf of my life as a mom. That’s still my goal.
Komulainen says that the Roope husband has taken care of Elli’s daughter all the time while he has been traveling around the world playing professionally.
– Actually, for the first time in three years, Roope will participate in the Czech LET tournament in a little over a week, where he will be my caddy. The mother-in-law is looking after our daughter Elli. The biggest source of stress for me is already how Elli will survive without us for the rest of the week, Komulainen smiles.
– For the men’s and women’s series, the 60 best players over a two-year period, taking into account country quotas (two players per country). However, the top 15 players in the world ranking are entitled to a place, so that each country can have a maximum of four players represented.
– The men’s Olympic golf competition will be played from August 1 to 4. and the women’s competition on August 7-10.
– The competition field is Le Golf National, located on the outskirts of Paris, which is a demanding competition arena known from the 2018 Ryder Cup.
– The game format is a personal 72-hole stroke play without a cut. The winners are promised Olympic medals and places to play in major competitions.