LONDON — It may be a fanciful notion but Norwegian professional Caroline Martens is being driven this year by a powerful desire to play at the Olympics alongside her compatriot and close friend Suzann Pettersen.
With two women golfers per team going to Rio de Janeiro in August, the Scandinavians are likely to be represented by world number 13 Pettersen and the 119th-ranked Marianne Skarpnord as the sport returns to the Games for the first time in 112 years.
Tonje Daffinrud is the next highest-placed Norwegian in 379th spot followed by Martens at number 436.
"Suzann and Marianne are both really talented golfers but I'm going to try and get those ranking points I need to play at the Olympics," Martens told Reuters in a telephone interview from Abu Dhabi.