"No team event whatsoever?"

This was said by U.S. Olympic golfer Matt Kuchar on Wednesday while being interviewed prior to playing in the Travelers Championship. You see, Kuchar seems to be a little confused on the format of play he's getting ready to experience in Rio Aug. 11-14.

The Olympic format is 72-hole individual stroke-play. Same as most tournaments a professional golfer plays. However, Kuchar was under the impression that there was some type of team format involved, which, for the record, I'm in favor of adding in 2020. He had to be informed that there was, in fact, no team format, and that it's just regular stroke play.

This just makes me laugh because the golf event, which is returning for the first time since 1904, has become some what of a joke. So many of the world's top-ranked players have pulled out of the event over the last few months with one cop out excuse or another. Some haven't even tried an excuse, like Adam Scott who basically said he could care less about the Olympics. Or Rory McIlroy who said he only grew up wanting to win major championships, not Olympic medals, and doesn't feel the responsibility to grow the game.

To be fair to Kuchar, he was just added to the team about three weeks ago as the second alternate. Based on world rankings, countries would be allowed to send between one and four athletes to the games. If a country has at least four players ranked in the top-15 of the OWGR, they can send up to four athletes. The U.S. met the qualification and knew they'd be sending four players. The top four at the time were - Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler. Spieth and Johnson withdrew, while Watson and Fowler said yes. This left two spots open and the option to Patrick Reed and Kuchar to play (since they were both ranked in the top-15 at the time). Spieth made his decision on the last possible day, so maybe that's why Kuchar wasn't well informed? Although, I still don't quite defend his complete lack of knowledge.

Overall, the attitude professional golfers have had towards this event makes me sad. I love golf and I love that it's an Olympic sport again. It is a global game and I think it's a great addition to the program schedule.

I know these golfers didn't grow up dreaming of being an Olympian, at least in golf, but I think they should embrace it now. Some players have recognized the significance of it and have been very adamant in wanting to play. Sergio Garcia is one of those (side note: Garcia has become increasingly more likable over the years), who can't wait for the entire Olympic experience. He also noted that the Olympics are watched over the world and that allows your sport to get a boost. I think Sergio gets the point as to why it's important for the players to learn to deal with the Olympics in the summer schedule and embrace the opportunity to play!

You know who is also relishing the Olympics? The female players. Only one female chose to withdraw from the games, according to the New York Times. The question is, why did they all choose to compete and so many men withdrew? Their normal summer schedule was just as comprised as the men and I think a lot of the health concerns about Rio pertain more directly to women. I don't understand how it's just the women that saw this a great opportunity for the sport and not the men.

The sad thing is that Phil Mickelson desperately wanted to be an Olympian. He didn't have the best year last season, which dropped him in the world rankings, but he's pulled himself up this year, thanks in part to his performance at The Open. He actually was someone that the sport could pitch back when the sport was presented to return to the Olympic program and is still good enough to be there. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) required the International Golf Federation (IGF) and individual countries to turn in the participants prior to The Open. If the IGF was allowed to wait until after that major championship, Phil would be in. While I have no problems with Phil, I still wouldn't call myself the biggest Phil fan in the world. I do, however, know he would be fully embracing opportunity and plenty of professional golfers would be taking cues from him about participation in the future.

While golf is on the program through at least 2020, it's certainly in danger of losing its spot since so many players declined to play. I know this is still a "new" thing and it's going to take some time to get used to having it on the schedule every four years. But I think all the golfers should appreciate the incredible opportunity that is now available to them to be an Olympian.

While Kuchar is still processing the information that there's no team format for golf in the Olympics, the other U.S. players have all commented how cool this will be for them.

"What an honor and what a thrill to play for your country in the Olympics. Who cares if I finish dead last? Just to be a part of the Olympics is a big honor and thrill." - Bubba Watson

"Just thinking about having a gold medal means a lot. I think the biggest thing is I get to represent my country again. I get to wear the red, white and blue. Any time I get to wear those colors, it's a huge day." - Patrick Reed

"I'm looking forward to not only the opening ceremonies but getting to see some of the other athletes that are down there and seeing greatness happen in front of me." - Rickie Fowler

Oh, and Kuchar is actually excited too.

"I had my fingers crossed that some golfers would bypass the Olympics. I had fingers crossed that they would, so I would have a chance to accept."