Golf Australia admit Karrie Webb would be everyone's sentimental favourite at the Olympics, but they can't do anything to change the fact she may not qualify.
Webb, who prolonged her career in order to play at the Games, has slipped to No.53 in the world rankings behind fellow Australians Minjee Lee (13th) and Su Oh (40th).
Only the top two players from each country as of July 11 qualify for Rio, Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt confirming there was no form of wildcard available to get Webb across the line.
"We'll have no discretion whatsoever to pick different players," Pitt told AAP.
"So it will be whoever has earned the spot will get to go."
Webb's 41 titles are the most by any Australian in history on the LPGA or PGA tour, as are her seven major titles.
And at a time where a number of the best men's players have been hesitant in committing to the Olympics, the 41-year-old has been steadfast in her support.
However, since her last win in March 2014, Webb has fallen heavily in the rankings.
She lost her spot as Australia's No.1 last June for the first time since ratings were introduced, while Su Oh's tie for eighth place at the Women's PGA Championship last weekend bumped her out of the top two.
She will only play a maximum of three more tournaments before the cut-off, and unless she returns to her best at the US Open in early July, it's unlikely she will be able to topple either of the 20-year-olds.
"Sentimentally of course, you'd love to see Karrie cap off her career at Rio with a gold medal, that would be absolutely wonderful," Pitt said.
"But professional sport; it's cut throat.
"Golf if pretty black and white in that space. Karrie will know what she's got to do, Su Oh will know what she's got to do and they'll be trying to do that."
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