This Thursday marks the start of the Olympic dream for Sergio García and Rafael Cabrera-Bello, and by extension, for all golf fans in Spain. The men's competition of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games opens at the Marapendi Reserve course before the eyes of the entire world. One hundred and twelve years later, the little white ball is rolling again at the Games.

The men's competition takes place from August 11 to 14, in which Manuel Piñero will captain the two highest-ranked Spanish players in the World Ranking.

Sergio Garcia has spent fifteen years building an extraordinary career, with nine wins on the American Tour, twelve on the European Tour, five on the Asian Tour and two on the South African Tour, apart from five appearances in the Ryder Cup.

With so many accolades to his name, the golfer from Castellón now takes on a challenge he never expected at the start of his career. And it comes at an ideal time, after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour this season and displaying a maturity and composure in his game that has cemented his place among the best. He's a different kind of player, and in a different competition, this might just be his moment.

The situation facing Rafael Cabrera-Bello is slightly different. At 32, he has exploded onto the scene with excellent golf in recent months. Consistency has become the best ally of this golfer, who has amassed five professional titles, two on the Challenge Tour and two on the European Tour. His jump to 28th in the World Ranking clearly demonstrates his progress.

At the close of the Olympic Ranking, both golfers occupy a Top 10 position: Sergio García is sixth, while Rafael Cabrera-Bello is ninth. A fantastic statistic that should inspire cautious optimism.

And that's because

The presence of Americans Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler or Matt Kuchar, Swede Henrik Stenson –winner of the British Open a month ago– or Englishmen Danny Willett –winner this year at the Masters– and Justin Rose, to give just a few significant examples among which we could also include German Martin Kaymer or Italian Matteo Manassero, forces us to think that to be in the fight for the medals you have to perform at a spectacular level.

Sergio Garcia will share a match in the first two days with American Patrick Reed (seventh in the Olympic Ranking) and Argentine Emiliano Grillo (thirteenth), while Rafael Cabrera-Bello will share rounds with Henrik Stenson (second) and Thai Thongchai Jaidee (eleventh).

60 golfers in search of three medals

In both the men's and women's categories, 60 golfers will participate, competing for gold, silver and bronze medals in a 72-hole stroke play competition held over four days of 18 holes.

It is worth remembering that the field is located five kilometers away from the Olympic Village and that after the Olympic Games it will become a public field intended to promote and develop sport in Brazil.

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