Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia have the game to win on a flat track in Rio, but they are not the only ones capable of winning a medal
To win gold
Bubba Watson – {ODDS:99875480:14/1}
The Olympic Gold Course in Rio is set up perfectly for long hitters, and no player at the Games is better off the tee than Watson.
The American is ranked third in the world in shots gained with the driver, with absentees Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy the only players ahead of him.
With few trees and no tricky rough to contend with, Watson should be able to overpower this 7128-yard par-71.
The 37-year-old will also benefit from the tournament’s format should he finish in the top three.
All medal positions will be decided by play-off in the event of a tie, and Watson has won five events by that method in his career, including the 2012 Masters.
Sergio Garcia – {ODDS:99875478:8/1}
Only four players at the Games in Rio are higher than Garcia in the world rankings, and none have been more consistent over the past four months.
With five top-five finishes in his last seven starts, the world No. 11 is enjoying his best run of form for a couple of years.
Garcia ranks 11th in scoring average this year, 12th off the tee, fifth in greens in regulation percentage and 18th in total shots gained.
While the biggest names in golf have opted out of this event, the proud Spaniard has relished the chance to be an Olympian.
The 36-year-old still hasn’t won a major, but – unlike the majority of players – he would consider a gold medal the next best thing.
To win a medal
Ben An – {ODDS:101209780:12/1}
Olympic success is in An’s blood.
The South Korean’s parents are both former table tennis medallists, and he can carry on the family tradition in Rio.
An is one of the best putters taking part in this event, and is ranked in 10th in putts per round on the European Tour this year.
But even if he doesn’t heat up on the greens, An has the all-round game to challenge.
Still only 24, the 2015 BMW PGA Championship winner is clearly one of the most talented players in this field and should be in contention on Sunday.
Jhonnatan Vegas – {ODDS:101209782:16/1}
Vegas won the Canadian Open in July – just the second victory of his career and his since 2011 – beating a field that included Dustin Johnson, Jimmy Walker and Jason Day.
That success earned him a place at the US PGA Championship, where he carried his form through to earn his best ever finish at a major when tying for 22nd.
The 31-year-old Venezuelan’s strength is his driving. He ranks 17th among all players off the tee this year, 12th in driving distance and fourth in greens in regulation percentage.
That translates into birdie chances, and if he putts well he will put up some low scores on this relatively simple course.
To finish in the top 10
Nicolas Colsaerts – {ODDS:101212898:4/1}
Another big hitter off the tee, Colsaerts has the tools to cause an upset in Rio.
The Belgian averages the 14th-longest drive on the European Tour this season, ranking higher than McIlroy, Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen.
Colsaerts has struggled in the majors of late, missing the cut in two of his five appearances since he finished 10th at the 2013 US Open.
But with third-place finishes at the Scottish Open and Nordea Masters in the past two months, he has the ability to put four solid rounds together and mount a challenge.
It would be a surprise, but he has represented Europe in the Ryder Cup before and enjoys these international competitions.
