Dutch golf star Joost Luiten was furious on Friday after his efforts to play for the Netherlands were thwarted in the days leading up to the Olympics, and revealed his plans for the games.
After missing the cut at the British Open, he didn’t hold back on his feelings towards the International Golf Federation (IGF).
Luiten won his case in court and was expected to compete in the tournament, but the IGF made it clear the spots were already filled.
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Joost Luiten of the Netherlands hits his second shot on the 11th hole during the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon on July 19, 2024 in Troon, Scotland. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
“I lost. I’m the worst,” he told Golf Week at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. “I’ve been through it. I spent a lot of money in court to win. And then I win and they say, ‘Damn, someone else did the worst thing so you’re still not out’. That’s what makes me angry.”
“It’s been mistake after mistake and nobody wants to admit it. Nobody wants to fix it. And now I’m in a situation where I don’t know what to do.”
Luiten called IGF officials a “bunch of amateurs” and said that’s why Olympic golf should be an amateur sport.
Luiten shot 75 in the first round and 76 in the second round at the British Open.
Joost Luiten of the Netherlands watches his driver shot on the 13th tee during the first day of the 152nd British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon on the southwest coast of Scotland on July 18, 2024. (Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)
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Luyten was initially eligible to compete in the Olympics but was banned by his native Netherlands because he was not in the top 100 in the official world golf rankings. The IGF’s decision came after Luyten subsequently won a court ruling.
“At the time the International Golf Federation (IGF) received the Dutch court’s ruling against Joost Luiten and the notification of his participation from the NOC*NSF, the unused qualifying places had already been reallocated in accordance with the qualification procedures published by the IGF,” the IGF said in a statement.
“The IGF was not a party to the proceedings brought by Luyten in the Netherlands. However, in support of Luyten, the IGF applied for an exception with the IOC to increase the field size in the men’s Olympic golf event from 60 to 61 athletes to include Luyten. However, this request was rejected by the IOC today. The IGF has informed Luyten of the IOC’s decision, but Luyten has not informed the IGF whether he intends to pursue the matter further.”
Joost Luiten of the Netherlands smiles alongside his caddie Martin Gray on the 18th hole during the pro-am before the Genesis Scottish Open at Renaissance Club on July 10, 2024 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Luiten said Friday he would instead be vacationing on the Spanish island of Mallorca and could still compete if an Olympian pulled out at the last minute.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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