From India to Japan: No way Jose is going to pass up on vital rankings points as he chases Olympic dream

South American golfer Jose Toledo is clearly prepared to go the distance to compete on The International Series and Asian Tour, and the man from Guatemala has revealed another ambitious mission he is currently undertaking: to become the first ever Olympian to represent his country at golf.

The 38-year-old previously plied his trade on the Korn Ferry Tour as well as on tours in Canada and Latin America. After graduating from Asian Tour Q School in time for the 2024 campaign, his best results were a T6 at the Saudi Open Presented by PIF in April, and a T13 at International Series Morocco in July.

This season, Toledo opened his campaign with a T16 at the Smart Infinity Philippine Open, and he also managed a T32 at the star-studded International Series India presented by DLF before failing to make the cut at both the New Zealand Open and the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.

Toledo is putting on a strong display this week at International Series Japan presented by Moutai, and sits in a pack on seven under, just four shots back from clubhouse leader Lucas Herbert after two rounds at the Caledonian Golf Club in the Chiba prefecture.

Explaining his decision to travel far and wide across Asia, the 38-year-old pinpointed the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as his target. He said: “My goal is to play well at all these events (on The International Series). I want to be in the next Olympics, so that's a big goal for me, and for Guatemala. Nobody ever made it (in golf). It gives me a great chance to climb the world rankings.

“And I know, if I play well on this tour, I have a great chance. That would be great for me and my country. We only have three medals in our history (one gold, one silver and one bronze).”

Toledo loves being part of the welcoming, multi-cultural mix on the Asian Tour. Twenty five different nationalities are participating at International Series Japan presented by Moutai, from the traditional Asian Tour heartlands through to Europe, America, Australia and everywhere in between.

The challenge of taking on some of the world’s best is another motivating factor for the three-time tournament winner.

In the first two of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour this season, Toledo has been able to compete with Major champions such as Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell, plus LIV Golf stars Joaquin Niemann, Carlos Ortiz and Lucas Herbert.

He said: “On The International Series we have the opportunity to play with a handful of top players in the world. That's where you want to be, to be honest. They are doing a really good job here on The International Series. If you play well, you get rewarded with a spot to play on LIV Golf, and that is a huge incentive.”

Toledo admits his ambitions have changed as he has gained more experience on the Asian Tour, and he is playing with much more confidence as he chases the high finishes and vital OWGR points that fuel his long-term goal of a place in the 2028 Olympics.

With a career-high of 576th on the standings, and Fabrizio Zanotti taking the final place in the 60-man field in Paris 2024 last time out for Paraguay in 343rd position overall, Toledo is aware he still has some work to do. But his confidence is growing and his targets are changing all the time.

“Last year, I just wanted to get into tournaments, but this year, I have a better category because of my results so I know I am going to play more events and I can focus on winning. The International Series do feel like the Majors of the Asian Tour and we have 10 of them so that is huge. It is my goal to play well on these events and move up the rankings.”