Controversial criteria for entry to the 2016 Olympic golf competitions is sure to reignite debate over the sport's return to the Games.
International Golf Federation officials on Tuesday confirmed the qualification system that will be used for Rio de Janeiro and, based on current world rankings, two reigning major champions would miss out.
In both the men's and women's events, a field of 60 players will compete in a 72-hole stroke play format for the gold, silver and bronze medals.
Although players ranked inside the top 15 on July 11, 2016 will be eligible, a maximum of four players per country will gain entry.
As such, five-times major winner Phil Mickelson, the reigning British Open champion, is presently not eligible for the Olympics despite being ranked inside the top 15 at 13th.
Mickelson is only the American No.6, behind Masters champion Bubba Watson (4), Matt Kuchar (5), Tiger Woods (7), Jordan Spieth (10) and Jim Furyk (11).
Under the same criteria, US PGA champion Jason Dufner, ranked 21st, also wouldn't qualify based on the current world order.
The balance of the field - beyond the eligible players in the top 15 - will be selected in order from 16th place onwards in the women's and men's rankings as of July 11, 2016.
Unless a country provides more representatives via the top 15, nations will be limited to a maximum of two players each in the men's and women's fields.
There is a provision, though, that guarantees the host nation of Brazil at least one player in the men's and women's events regardless of their rankings.
The complex criteria opens the door for lowly-ranked golfers seizing the gold medals with a good four days.
Brazil, for example, has only four men's players ranked inside the top 1000, headed by world No.281 Adilson Da Silva.
Another provision has been included that each of the five continents of the Olympic movement - Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania - will also be guaranteed at least one athlete in each of the men's and women's events regardless of their ranking.
Ironically, Mickelson would have been made aware of his current non-qualification on the eve of his Open defence, due to the criteria being formally announced at Royal Liverpool before the start of the season's third major.
On current rankings, world No.1 Adam Scott and world No.6 Jason Day would be the only Australian men to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Seven-times major winner Karrie Webb, the world No.7, and Minjie Lee, ranked 72nd, would be Australia's only representatives in the women's tournament as of Tuesday.
Golf will return to the Olympics for the first time since the 1904 Games in St Louis after it and rugby sevens beat baseball, softball, squash, karate and roller sports in a vote in 2009.
The competitions will be played at a new course to be built in the Reserva de Marapendi in the Barra da Tijuca zone.
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