“We’re absolutely thrilled to see a Mixed-Team Event added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028,” said IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon. “Golf was incredibly successful at Paris 2024, and as we continue building on the momentum from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, we’re excited to bring even more attention to our sport through this additional format. The athletes were very enthusiastic about their desire to play with their compatriots, and we look forward to watching them compete together in Los Angeles.”

The Mixed-Team Event will be contested as a 36-hole competition – 18 holes of foursomes (alternate shot) for the first round, followed by 18 holes of four-ball (best ball) for the final round. There will be a maximum of one team per country, with teams comprised of one male and one female who are already qualified for the Men’s and Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competitions. The Mixed-Team Event will take place after the four-round Men’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition, and prior to the four-round Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition. The addition of the Mixed-Team Event marks the first Olympic Golf team competition since the 1904 Games.

The event programme and athlete quotas for LA28 were approved by the IOC Executive Board on 9 April. With a total of 351 medal events, 22 more than at Paris 2024 (329), the LA28 programme maintains the core athlete quota of 10,500 with an extra 698 allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee (Baseball/Softball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash). The event programme for LA28 was developed based on the requests presented by the International Sports Federations to the IOC. The decision from the IOC Executive Board followed the recommendation from the Olympic Programme Commission and the principles approved in 2023: gender equal, globally appealing, cost and complexity conscious, athlete focused. With the inclusion of boxing, approved by the IOC Session in March 2025, the LA28 sports programme is composed of 31 sports, with an additional five sports proposed by the Organising Committee and approved by the IOC in 2023.

Golf is one of six sports – joining Archery, Athletics (4x100m mixed relay), Gymnastics, Rowing Coastal Beach Sprint and Table Tennis – to add a mixed-gender competition for LA28.

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Christiane spoke to the CPG direct from Paris during the Olympic Golf women’s competition about her experiences as a Rules Official during the week, the electric atmosphere at Le Golf National, and her valuable advice for PGA Members early on in their careers looking to develop themselves.

………..

The Olympics so far have been amazing, and, knowing that I would come here, I’ve watched a lot on TV. Obviously the crowds were amazing for the men, but I have to say that it’s as good for the women. Especially the French girls have been supported massively, but so have the entire field – the fans have been amazing.

We could hardly move anywhere with buggies, which is always a good sign because it means that a lot of people are there to watch.

The atmosphere is amazing and it does feel different than a normal tournament because you just have far more people involved. People are really cheering each other along and they’re playing for their country rather than for prize money, which does give a bit of a different atmosphere.

Especially on the first tee when the players tee off – there are so many people cheering for every player and it is absolutely amazing.

My role this week has been as a rules official, but we do change the official assignments every day. Some days I’m assigned to a specific zone where I am responsible for any rulings popping up in that area. But on other days I’m assigned to be a rover, in charge of managing pace of play, and I could be either on the front nine or back nine, or as general rules, or keeping an overall picture.

To be part of the Olympics as a rules official is just amazing to be honest. It is always nice to be part of a big team, and we only get to meet the officials from the other tours where we do majors usually. So when we share tournaments it is always nice to meet up and collaborate. We have our colleagues from the LPGA but also we have people here from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, The R&A, and USGA so it’s always really nice to be involved together and see what happens on the different tours and exchanging things.

The core setup this week is a little different to what we do on normal weeks on the LET, and much closer to what we do in major weeks. It is a bit tougher than the average LET tournament – the main differences are the course is playing slightly longer and green speed a bit faster. Plus we have an entire agronomy team here besides the local greenkeeping team and supervisor.

So there’s just more resources involved than what we normally have, but otherwise the standards are similar.

If I talk from a rules perspective, then if I’m just a rules official at one of our tournaments, then it is absolutely similar to what we do here. The only difference being that we have more referees out there than what we normally have. Normally we have around 6 – 8 rules officials out there – this week we are fortunate enough to have one rules official covering two or three holes, so we just have more staff on the ground.

My best piece of advice for a PGA member early in their career…? I started off with teaching and I really enjoyed my time doing that, but I think it is all about exploring what prospective options you actually have. Most people think it is purely teaching or maybe being a club manager, but there are so many options around what you can do as a PGA Member. Explore your options, try different things, and then try to find something that will inspire you to do it for the rest of your career. There is nothing wrong with doing one thing throughout your career at all but I am sure many would like to try different things along the way too.

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The 27-year-old Ko, who started the day tied for the lead, fired a 1-under 71 in the final round to finish at 10-under 278. Her lead stretched to as much as five shots after turning in 2-under 34, but she opened the door to the rest of the field following a double bogey at the par-4 13th.

Ko rebounded with four straight pars before dropping a birdie at the last, not only securing the gold medal but also the elusive final point she needed to secure entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame. The gold medal also makes Ko the first-ever three-time Olympic medallist in golf, adding to her silver from Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020.

Moving up 12 spots on the leaderboard and into the silver medal spot on the podium, Henseleit fired a 6-under 66 on Saturday to finish at 8 under, two shots behind Ko. The 25-year-old German opened with rounds of 72-73 before moving into the red on Friday thanks to a 3-under 69.

Also coming from behind to earn her spot on the medal stand was Lin, who birdied three of her last four holes to also post 69 on Saturday and finish three shots behind Ko.

Defending gold medallist and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of USA finished T22 in her gold medal defense, shooting a 3-over 75 on Saturday that included four birdies, four bogeys and a triple bogey. Also coming up short was Team USA teammate Rose Zhang, who teed off in the final group with Ko but shot 74 on Saturday and finished T8. Switzerland’s Morgane Mertraux, who set a new nine-hole Olympic record in the second round with a 28 on the front nine, started the day tied for the lead but fell to T18 after 7-over 79 on Saturday.

Fellow Swiss Albane Valenzuela carded the round of the day, firing a 7-under 65 that vaulted her 20 spots up the leaderboard to finish T13.

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The two-time major winner appeared set to hold the outright lead with one day to play until surprise act and playing partner Metraux produced an eagle at the par-five 18th to join her at 9 under after 54 holes.

Ko, who is bidding to become the first woman in the modern Olympic golf era to win three straight medals (she won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020), mixed three birdies with a lone bogey at the seventh to turn in 2-under. She then cancelled out a birdie at the 10th with a bogey at the 12th, before birdieing the 17th to take a two-shot lead to the last.

It was then that Metraux, who had been in the shadows of others for most of Friday, produced her best moment of the round as she backed up an excellent approach at the final hole with an equally impressive 20-foot putt for eagle to record a 1-under 71.

While it was not as eye-catching as Thursday’s 6-under 66, in which she played the front nine in 28 blows, world No. 137 Metraux showed her resolve after her round threatened to unravel with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from holes 10-13.

Two shots adrift sit their nearest challengers in Rose Zhang of USA and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, another Olympic debutant.

Zhang made eagles at the 14th and 18th in her 67 that also included a double bogey at the par-4 15th, while Yamashita – two years her senior at 23 – posted a 4-under 68.

The Japanese was one of just two bogey-free rounds on Friday, with the other going to Canada’s Brooke Henderson as she hit a 5-under 67 to leave herself at 2 under.

Defending gold medalist Nelly Korda sits in a four-way tie at 7 under after a third-round 70, along with France’s Celine Boutier and China’s Xiyu Lin and Ruoning Yin.

Australia’s Hannah Green carded the best round of the day with a 6-under 66 that featured seven birdies and a stunning 153-yard, hole-out eagle at the par-4 17th to climb into a tie for 11th.

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After starting her day with a birdie at the first, the 27-year-old Metraux went on a tear, starting with an eagle at the par-5 third and then reeling off three straight birdies on Nos. 4-6. She capped her front nine with her second eagle of the day, dropping a putt from 15 feet, 7 inches to turn in 28 and record the best nine-hole score in both the men’s and women’s Olympic golf competitions to date.

“The difference between yesterday and today at the beginning is just the putts that fell,” said Metraux, whose previous best nine-hole score had been a front-nine 30 that came during the first round of the 2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. “It just brought me confidence going forward and just tried to stay as present as I could and one shot at a time. It went pretty well.”

The momentum slowed on the back with a bogey-birdie-bogey stretch over holes 13 through 15, and she found the water with her second shot while trying to go for the green in two on the par-5 18th to finish with a bogey.

Metraux, winner of two Ladies European Tour titles, including the 2024 the Jabra Ladies Open in Evian-les-Bains, France, holds a narrow one-stroke lead over China’s Ruoning Yin, who carded the round of the day with a bogey-free, 7-under 65. Two-time Olympic medalist and defending bronze medalist Lydia Ko (72-67) of New Zealand vaulted up the leaderboard and stands third.

Also posting a notable second round was Slovenia’s Pia Babnik, who carded a 6-under 66 that featured a run of five straight birdies on Nos. 12-16. Babnik, who opened with a 2-over 74 in Round 1, improved 26 spots on the leaderboard and currently sits in a tie for fourth.

First-round leader and Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, who opened with a 7-under 75 on Wednesday, struggled to a 4-over 76 in Round 2. She suffered a particularly rough stretch on the back nine, making double bogey at 13, bogey at 14 and double at 15. Defending gold medalist Nelly Korda had eventful final stretch en route to her second-round 70, making birdie at 15, quadruple bogey at 16, bogey at 17 and birdie at 18.

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With big galleries gathered for the first round at Le Golf National on Wednesday, world No. 7 Boutier was inspired as she recorded eight birdies and one bogey to make a dream start in her medal pursuit. Her total equalled the lowest first-round score at the Olympics, matching efforts by Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016 and Madelene Sagstrom at Tokyo 2020.

The Frenchwoman, who won her first major last year on home soil at The Amundi Evian Championship, dropped just a single shot on Wednesday en route to reaching 7-under. She leads the way over South African major winner Ashleigh Buhai.

Boutier made three front-nine birdies before back-to-back gains after the turn saw her move into the solo lead. After finding a fairway bunker off the tee at the 12th, the 30-year-old dropped her lone shot of the day on the par 4.

But that only appeared to refocus her mind as she then reeled off three consecutive birdies from the 14th through to the 16th, highlighted by a chip-in at the par-3 16th hole. The French star then parred the final two holes before receiving a great ovation from the waves of fans assembled around the 18th green.

Buhai, who, like Boutier, is competing in her second Games after making her debut at Rio 2016, mixed five birdies with one bogey to card a 68. She grabbed birdies on the seventh and ninth holes to turn in 2-under, and Buhai was then flawless on the back nine, as a pair of birdies at the 13th and 14th helped her post a 4-under.

World No. 2 Lilia Vu, who pre-tournament said a gold medal would trump her two major wins, sits in a tie for third at 2-under in a four-strong group of players that also includes Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe.

After a slow start that saw her bogey three of her opening seven holes, world No. 1 Nelly Korda recovered well to kick off her gold medal defense at Le Golf National with an even-par 72.

Perrine Delacour of France hit the opening tee shot at 9 a.m. but later said the experience drained her and contributed to a disappointing 7-over 79.

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On a thrilling final day in the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish, reaching 19-under 265 as he surged to victory, highlighted by an impressive back-nine 29 to underline his status as the world No. 1.

Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain fell just short of emulating Rio 2016 gold medalist Justin Rose as a closing 66 saw him settle for silver, one shot behind at 18-under. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama rounded out the podium finishers with bronze, finishing a shot further back.

Frenchman Victor Perez delighted the home crowd with a brilliant final-round 63 to finish solo fourth at 16-under, with Rory McIlroy of Ireland and Spain’s Jon Rahm sharing fifth at 15-under.

Scheffler trailed overnight co-leaders Xander Schauffele – who was targeting back-to-back golds – and Rahm by four shots but showed his pedigree to follow up a fast start with an electric finish that included a run of four straight birdies from Nos. 14-17.

The victory is Scheffler’s seventh title of what has been a remarkable year, which already included his successful title defense of THE PLAYERS Championship and his second green jacket at the Masters Tournament in April.

Fleetwood held a share of the lead with Scheffler on the 17th tee, but a miscued chip shot from behind the green led to a bogey and proved costly as he was unable to find a birdie at the last to force a playoff.

Matsuyama, who held a share of the halfway lead, lost ground on Saturday with a level-par 71, but he bounced back in style with a bogey-free 65 to medal in his second Olympics.

Earlier in the day, Rahm seemed on track to win gold for Spain as he opened up a four-shot lead around the turn, but back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th thwarted his momentum. A double bogey-7 at the 14th further hurt his hopes before he missed out on the podium altogether with back-to-back bogeys on his final two holes.

McIlroy finished alongside his Ryder Cup teammate after a spirited closing 66, with a double bogey at the 15th when he found water with his approach ultimately ending his chance of a medal.

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The American arrived at his second appearance at the Games on the back of winning The Open Championship two weeks ago and has continued his excellent form at Le Golf National.

Schauffele was part of a three-way share of the halfway lead at 11-under, but he shot a 3-under 68 that was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 14th to outperform playing partners Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama on Saturday.

Rahm, playing in the group ahead, produced his second consecutive round of 66 that included a seventh birdie of the day at the 17th to also reach 14-under.

Fleetwood of Great Britain will join the major-winning duo in the final group on Sunday after he mixed three birdies with two bogeys to sit one stroke off the leaders.

Nicolai Højgaard enjoyed the round of the week so far as he matched the course record of 62 with a bogey-free total that featured an eagle and seven birdies.

That moved the Dane into a share of fourth on the leaderboard alongside Japan’s Matsuyama, who lost ground in his pursuit of an Olympic medal with a level-par 71.

World Nos. 1 and 3 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, respectively, are both poised to make a Sunday run as they played their way into contention after contrasting rounds.

While Scheffler mixed six birdies and two bogeys in a round that fluctuated, McIlroy enjoyed his first flawless score of the week as he made five birdies for a 66.

Thomas Detry of Belgium and Korea’s Tom Kim also sit at 10-under – four back – after they carded a pair of 69s. Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, Australia’s Jason Day and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann round out the top 10 a shot further back.

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Matsuyama, who opened with an 8-under 63, followed up Friday with a 3-under 68 that featured an up-and-down front nine with three birdies and two bogeys. He seemed to be shifting momentum in the right direction on the back nine, making back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 followed by a string of pars before notching two more birdies on 16 and 17.

But an errant tee shot on the par-4 18th put the current world No. 12 well right of the fairway, and his second shot off the mounds went just 66 yards and didn’t make it past the first cut of rough. He dumped his third shot in the water in front of the green and after taking a drop, Matsuyama hit it to 12 feet and made the putt for a 6.

World No. 14 Fleetwood (67-64) flirted with the course record during his second round, getting it to 8-under on the day through 17 holes before finishing with his lone bogey of the day at the last. His round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 third, where he drained a putt from 46 feet, 9 inches.

After the starting the day one stroke off the lead, defending gold medalist and World No. 2 Schauffele (65-66) dropped a shot early with a bogey at the second, but then turned things around with a stretch of three straight birdies on Nos. 3-5 and added three more on Nos. 9-11. He recovered from a bogey on 14 with a birdie at 15 and finished with four straight pars.

Belgium’s Thomas Detry, who opened with an even-par 71, carded the round of the day with a bogey-free, 8-under 63 – one off the course record and two off the Olympic record. He stands T5 with Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan (69-65), the defending bronze medalist, and Korea’s Tom Kim (66-68). Spain’s Jon Rahm (67-66) sits in solo fourth.

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The Japan native produced a bogey-free, 8-under 63 to top the 60-athlete leaderboard on a sultry day in the outskirts of Paris that featured two weather delays.

Defending gold medalist Xander Schauffele from the United States maintained his momentum from winning his second major title this season at last month’s Open Championship to sit second after a 65.

Joaquin Niemann of Chile, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and Korea’s Tom Kim were then three shots off the lead at 5-under.

After missing out on a bronze medal in a playoff on home soil at Tokyo 2020, Matsuyama made the ideal start in his bid for a podium finish as he hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens.

The world No. 12 enjoyed a fast start with back-to-back birdies at the second and third, before three birdies in succession from the seventh saw him hit the turn in 5-under.

He then made it four birdies in a row at the 10th before two more gains at the 13th and 14th put him firmly in position to break the course record of 9-under 62.

While the early starter on Day 1 was unable to maintain that remarkable pace, he did stay blemish-free as he parred the tough four-hole closing stretch.

The in-form Schauffele got off to an excellent start with a chip-in birdie at the first, before six further birdies saw him close to two off the clubhouse lead held by Matsuyama.

His lone bogey of the day came at the 17th – just before lightning in the area resulted in a 39-minute interruption. He finished the round just before an additional suspension resulted in a delay lasting just over an hour.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler carded a flawless 4-under 67, while Rory McIlroy made an eagle in a 68 that was matched by Ryder Cup-winning teammate Ludvig Åberg, as the marquee threeball drew big crowds.

Earlier in the day, Victor Perez enjoyed the honour of hitting the opening tee shot on home soil. He recovered from a sluggish start to card four birdies on the back nine and finish at 1-under, one stroke ahead of fellow countryman Matthieu Pavon.

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The 23-year-old shot a closing 2-under par 69 Saturday on Kasumigaseki Country Club’s East Course for a 17-under 267 total and one-stroke victory over silver medalist Mone Inami of Japan and bronze medalist Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who finished second in the 2016 Rio Olympics and is now Olympic women’s golf’s first repeat medalist.

“It feels amazing,” said Korda, who this year has won her first major championship, moved to No. 1 in the world and now claimed Olympic gold. “After today Lydia was playing really well, so was Mone, they both played super well, so we were all bunched up there. It was very stressful, but I kept it together, I fought pretty hard.”

Ko and Inami, who tracked and briefly caught Korda with five birdies on the back nine including four straight, shot 65 before settling their order in a one-hole playoff on No. 18. Inami’s quest for gold in her home country ended with a bogey on the 72nd hole after her hybrid approach shot plugged in the face of the front bunker.

“I lost the opportunity to win the gold because of my failed shot and so forth, but still I’m delighted,” said Inami, who plays on the Japan LPGA Tour. “This Olympic Games was held in Japan and I’m so grateful to win this medal. I’m so happy.”

Ko entered the day with the words of her coach in mind, that “what’s meant to be is going to be. So I think that’s what I tried to think today. The Olympics is a very special occasion where obviously, yes, we play for our country on a daily basis, but we’re really playing for them, this means so much then just for us. So, yeah, it’s a huge honor to be able to bring two medals for New Zealand and to be a two-time medalist in the last couple Games.”

Aditi Ashok of India, who started the day in second place three strokes behind Korda, gutted her way around the course despite a distinct disadvantage in length before finishing one stroke out of the playoff with a 68. She hung in and gave herself a chance by holing a number of crucial putts.

“I think today I didn’t really drive the ball very good and then it’s hard to get birdie putts or hit greens when you’re not in the fairway,” said the 23-year-old, who impressed throughout the week and received congratulatory messages from both the Prime Minister and President of India. “So, yeah, that was definitely the hardest part to make a score today. … I didn’t leave anything out there, I think I gave it my hundred percent, but, yeah, fourth at an Olympics where they give out three medals kind of sucks.”

Ultimately, the day was about Nelly Korda and her perseverance, though it started with an early start due to the threat of weather interference with a tropical storm headed toward the area. As it turned out, the only moisture before the brief rain delay was produced by cooling misting fans strategically placed around the grounds.

Korda’s march to the women’s golf title had been tracking ever since she took the second-round lead Thursday en route to her record-tying 62. She briefly built her lead to four with a birdie on the second hole before her coronation took an unexpected detour with a double-bogey 5 on the 7th hole, the result of two misplayed chip shots. It erased what by then was a two-stroke lead over Ko and Ashok and brought others into the mix, including Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark (one back) and Inami (two back), thus issuing a reset for the tournament.

Korda, though, quickly rallied with three straight birdies starting at No. 8, displaying a rare sign of emotion with a mild fist-pump as her birdie fell on No. 9.

“Yeah, I think I was very frustrated with myself and I was not happy at all, so I told myself there’s still a lot of golf to be left and I’m very proud of how I handled the next three holes or even just the entire round after that,” Korda said.

A bogey-5 on No. 11 kept things close, then a weather delay hit at 12:26 p.m. after the final group of Korda, Ko and Ashok hit their tee shots on the 17th hole. But that actually might have been a blessing for Korda.

“Obviously I was nervous,” she said, “but during the rain delay I was just with my sister (Jessica), we were relaxing, kind of chit chatting on the ground, in the clubhouse and I think that really helped a lot just to kind of not think about it and just to kind of take a step away in a sense during that rain delay and have some fun.”

Korda then parred the final two holes to secure the victory. She admitted afterward to feeling a different sort of pressure than she’s used to.

“I mean, you’re playing for something way bigger than just yourself, you’re playing for a gold medal, you’re playing for your country and I mean it’s an amazing achievement, so obviously that was in the back of my head,” Korda said. “So, it’s a different feeling, but I feel like as a golfer or just an athlete you go into every competition or every whatever tournament wanting to win, you have a one goal and that’s to tee it up and hopefully make the last putt on Sunday. So that’s every tournament I feel like is kind of in a sense you stress yourself out the same amount.”

She then added, “I’m going to grow old very fast.”

For now, though, she’s young, mature and an Olympic champion.

News, Notes and Quotes

High praise for Ashok

After her final-round 68 (-3) left her one stroke shy of the playoff for the silver and bronze medals, Aditi Ashok shook off her disappointment and went through the line of multiple media interviews. After satisfying every request, she returned to the clubhouse to start the process of departing Tokyo following a stunning performance that will inspire many in India and around the globe. When she finally got around to checking her phone, she would have seen the following messages.

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi tweeted: “Well played @aditigolf! You have shown tremendous skill and resolve during #Tokyo2020. A medal was narrowly missed but you’ve gone farther than any Indian and blazed a trail. Best wishes for your future endeavours.”

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted: “Well played, Aditi Ashok! One more daughter of India makes her mark! You have taken Indian golfing to new heights by today’s historic performance. You have played with immense calm and poise. Congratulations for the impressive display of grit and skills”

Jessica Korda finishes strong with a 64, turns attention to younger sister

While all eyes were on little sister Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda had a strong finish in her first Olympic competition, firing a bogey-free round of 7-under-par 64 to finish 9-under and tied for 15th . She had a disappointing start with rounds of 71-67-73.

Asked about the experience, she said, “I wish it wasn’t so hot, I think I got a little maybe heat issue, especially after the first day. But what a great week to have playing the Olympics and I could only dream of this. I wasn’t even dreaming of this, if we had to qualify last year I wouldn’t have been anywhere near it. So, the fact that we had it this year being, having to qualify for the U.S., being the fourth girl, it’s not easy to make our team. So I’m just really proud of myself for grinding it out and playing consistent enough to be able to climb my way on to the team.”

Jessica, who now was going to turn her attention to Nelly’s final stretch run toward the gold, was asked how her observation of her sister might be different from a regular spectator.

“Her and I kind of talked about it that we’re really calm watching each other, we’re definitely more stressed watching our brother,” she said, referring to their young brother Sebastian, a world-class tennis professional. “For some reason we’re just pretty calm with each other and I think it just kind of know how the other one’s playing and it’s golf, so you don’t really know what could happen coming down the stretch, but I feel like we both have so much fate in each other that we’re just really calm.”

So why is it more nerve-wracking to watch her brother? “Because you don’t know what the other person’s going to do and it’s more like head-to-head and so anything kind of goes, I feel like,” Jessica said. “Whereas this is just a little, you know it’s just a little different. You kind of plot your way around a golf course and you’re a little bit more in control whereas I think in tennis it’s more unknown.”

Returning bronze medalist Shanshan Feng has strong finish, noncommittal about retirement

Shanshan Feng of China, who won the bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, was slow out of the gate with a 3-over-par 74 but came on strong the final three days with rounds of 64-68-67, finishing in 8th place at 11-under par.

“It was great,” she said of her Olympic return. “I have been waiting for so long for this to come. I thought it was going to happen last year during my birthday, but it was just one year later. And I waited and the good thing was I was still good enough to at least qualify for the team. So here I am and, yeah, I’m already, I already finished the whole tournament.

“I didn’t have a great start, but I felt like the last three days I played like a champion, even though I was like really behind after the first round, but I think I really came back and there’s no regret because this is golf, I mean especially in the Olympics, you have the best girls in the world playing. You just have to have four good days to be able to win a medal. So I think the girls on the top they deserve it. And I’m very happy to see actually like some new faces like some players that are not ranked like really high but they’re all up there competing for the medal, I’m very happy to see that because we need some new faces from new countries. I played with Matilda (Castren) and she’s from Finland, I think she’s an upcoming star. She’s already won a tournament this year and she was great. But other than that, I hope that I can see more Chinese faces getting on the Tour and get on the top of the leaderboard and win tournaments.”

Regarding ongoing speculation of her retirement at age 32, Feng said, “I don’t know. I wouldn’t say I’m retired yet. I would like to play some more on the LPGA, just to give it like a conclusion or what do you call it?”

Send off? Finale? Swan song?

“Okay, something like that,” she said. “But I just don’t feel like I want to do three times quarantine in this second half of the year … So I think that might be a little too much, so I’m going to wait to see how the schedule is like in Asia next year maybe, so hopefully I’ll come back.”

Yuka Saso gets untracked in the final round

U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of the Philippines had a strong finish with a 6-under 29 on the back nine with four birdies, including three straight, and an eagle-2 on the short 17th hole, where she hit a 3-wood to 10 feet. That gave her a 6-under-par 65 for the day to finish at 10-under 274.

“I putted really good,” Saso said. “I finished that way. Yeah, it feels good. The first birdie (on the back) came, it was really long putt. I didn’t really expect it to go in but it did. Next hole I hit it close and it was a downhill putt, I putted really good. The par-5 I reached it in two, that was really good, a 3-wood. Then on the last hole as well. I really hit a good second shot and made the putt. Now it’s a finish like that, it felt really good to end that way. I hoped I would play that well the first three days.”

Another 29 recorded by Kelly Tan on the back nine

While the drama was unfolding atop the leadership early in the day, Kelly Tan of Malaysia, was quietly putting together her own 29 on the back nine – where she started her round – with six birdies, including five on the last six holes. She cooled off on her final nine, but still finished at 7-under 64. It was a satisfying finish after entering the day five over par with rounds of 73-73-72.

“Yeah, honestly I felt the same every day, I felt that I could do that, it’s just that today the score reflected it and it’s really great to see,” Tan said. “Deep down I felt that I was playing really well, just that the first two days it didn’t show on my card but, yeah, it felt great to be able to just pull it off like that.

“To be able to shoot 7-under at the Olympics on the final round I think that’s something that I’ll never forget,” she added. “Shooting 29 on the back nine, that’s something I haven’t done in my career, so that’s a positive for me as well. Yeah, I know I didn’t get a medal, but I know that I fought hard and I played hard for my country and I’m really proud of the way I did and I bettered my position from the last Olympics and that’s all that matters, so it’s great to see those improvements.”

Green closes in 30 after early struggle

Hannah Green began the day in the penultimate group, five strokes back of Nelly Korda’s lead with the goal of winning a gold medal, but that possibility quickly faded after a 2-over 38 on the front nine. However, the Aussie never gave up, notching four birdies and an eagle at the par-5 14th before the horn sounded suspending play while she was on 17 green. Forty-nine minutes later, she returned to make par before dropping a shot at the 72nd hole, eventually finishing tied for fifth, three strokes out of the playoff for bronze.

“I think to be even in contention come the last couple holes…really proud of myself for how I hung in there and didn’t get too down on myself and tried to think of the bigger picture I guess and being so lucky that we even have an Olympics to compete in,” said a reflective Green.

“I felt like with nine holes to go that I was nowhere near it so when I made the putt on 10 I think it was really important for my confidence,” said Green. “I think the eagle putt on 14 really was when like oh, okay, maybe I am in contention. So super happy to have birdied 15 and 16, but I felt like I made almost a bogey on 17 not birdieing that hole.”

Green had such good momentum and admitted the delay hurt her chances of a medal, but she was happy officials were able to allow the players to complete 72 holes.

“It was hard to pump myself back up again,” she said about returning after the weather delay. “I felt like I was on Cloud 9 for those five holes so, yeah, it was definitely hard to go back and rest and then come back out again.”

Green has been bitten by the Olympic bug and will be striving to make it to Paris in 2024.

“I didn’t really think too much of it but I guess it is only a few years away, so hopefully I can keep continuing to play well,” she said.

Tavatanakit saves best for last

Following rounds of 71-71-69 Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit saved her best for last with a final-round 68, eventually finishing in a tie for 23rd at 5-under par. She did it with a PGA TOUR winner, who is also her instructor, on the bag.

Grant Waite won the Kemper Open in 1993. He also famously finished second to Tiger Woods at the 2000 Canadian Open when Woods hit a spectacular fairway bunker shot over water onto the green on the 72nd hole to secure the win.

“Grant has been a huge part of my success so far this year just because he put my game in a good place and mentality too in the sense that I look at the course differently,” said Tavatanakit. “I approach things differently on the course, just the way I look at things or just in a better perspective.”

Tavatanakit has worked with Waite for a year now and feels like she still has a lot of work to improve.

“My game is trending upwards,” she said.

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It’s the difference between the two 23-year-olds, leader Korda at 15-under par 198 and second-place Ashok at 12-under 201, that makes this so fascinating. On paper, they arrived there with similar-looking rounds of 69 and 68, respectively. But when they say looks can be deceiving, it couldn’t be truer than in the comparison between the two heading into Saturday’s final-round chase for Olympic gold … and silver, and bronze.

Next in line are four players at 10-under: 2016 silver medalist Lydia Ko of New Zealand (66), Japan hopeful Mone Inami (68), Hannah Green of Australia (67) and Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark (70).

Statistically speaking, it doesn’t seem like a fair fight between the two leaders. While world No. 1 Korda is bombing drives and hitting short irons throughout the East Course, Ashok is dinking drives and relying on hybrids to reach a number of holes, with at least five par-4s typically measuring over 400 yards. Korda is averaging a full 44 yards further than Ashok, who is second-to-last in the field with a 233-yard average.

And yet, she makes it work with a keen understanding of her limitations and strengths. She still hit 17 of 18 greens, four more than Korda in round three. And then there’s her putting, the very thing she practiced endlessly when first introduced to the game.

“She’s a really solid putter,” said Korda after they played together. “Like she’s a sneaky player. She putts incredibly well. She rolls it really nicely and there’s this kind of like confidence she has on the putting green. She has some kind of swag on the putting green and she owns it.”

That said, Ashok said she’s actually about 15 yards shorter than normal at the moment and revealed for the first time that she had COVID in May and June.

“I do think it took a little bit of strength out of me. I was never this short. I was always short but not like 50 behind Nelly and 50 behind Nanna,” Ashok said, referring to Nanna Koerstz Madsen, the third Friday’s final grouping.

Which makes her performance this week even more remarkable.

Entering the day tied for second with the two Danes, Ashok spent most of the day as the primary suitor to Korda’s lead, supported by her mother who is caddying in place of her usual looper, her father.

“She’s doing great,” Ashok said. “It’s funny, this is the best I’ve played all year.” Asked if her dad is now out of a job, she said, “No, my dad’s good,” she said. “He’s enjoying watching me on TV and he enjoys listening to Bones (Jim Mackay) commentate on my game. It’s funny because he never gets to see me play on TV, he’s always caddying. So that’s been cool. My mom has obviously done a great job this week.”

Ashok was caught and briefly passed by Imani, but a bogey by Imani on No. 18 and birdie by Ashok on 17 flipped the leaderboard in Ashok’s favor.

After the disappointment of not medaling in the men’s competition after Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama entered the final round one stroke behind eventual gold medalist Xander Schauffele of the USA, the host country’s main medal hope rests with Inami. “I had a lot of fun today,” she said. “The only thing was on the final hole I misread the putt which caused a bogey. But otherwise, I had a really good day.”

All this was happening ahead of Korda, who never lost her lead, though she didn’t have nearly the day she did on Thursday when she tied the women’s Olympic record of 62 and flirted with a 59 before making double bogey on the final hole.

On Friday, she made three early birdies to open a brief five-stroke lead, but after a bogey-6 on No. 8, she parred the remaining holes.

“It was very upsetting that I bogeyed a par-5, there’s something inside of me when I bogey a par-5 that I just get so frustrated about because I shouldn’t be doing that,” Korda said. “I kept telling myself that there’s more opportunities ahead.”

But they never came. “I didn’t have a really good back nine, I was kind of spraying it all over the place, I had some testy par putts, but made all pars and I fought really hard to stay in it really or ahead of it,” she added. “I made some mistakes, but it wasn’t really easy out there with the positions I was in.”

Korda was obviously hoping to further distance herself from the field, saying, “I feel like that’s kind of the goal going into every round is to play the best I possibly can and maybe get a comfortable lead. But that’s the thing about golf, once you get a little too comfortable it humbles you when you start making mistakes and you get ahead of yourself. So, yeah, I would have loved to have had — I mean obviously no one’s ever going to complain about a bigger lead going into a final round, but I’m happy with where I’m at.”

But she still has the lead, and the confidence heading into Saturday’s final round, which gets a nice early start at 6:30 a.m. on the 1st and 10th tees to try to beat the predicted heavy rains from a tropical storm headed toward Japan.

But Korda says she won’t play with an additional sense of more urgency.

“No. My mindset is 72 holes so I’m sticking to that,” she said. “I’m trying to give myself opportunities and make them, that’s all. I’m trying to stay as present as possible and see how it goes.”

Other Notes/Quotes

Round of the day

Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea fired a bogey-free 6-under 65 for the low round on Friday.

Think about that for a moment – a 26-year-old from Ecuador, where the capital city of Quito has only eight golf courses, just outplayed 59 of the best women golfers on the planet! That’s the Olympics for you, making moments, inspiring others and building memories.

Darquea began the third round in relative obscurity, teeing off from the 10th tee tied for 46th position. By the end of the day, she sat tied for 25th position at 3-under and seven shots back of the current bronze medal score of 10-under.

Her round included four birdies and an eagle at No. 6 – the second day in a row that she posted an eagle 2 at the drivable par-4 hole.

The LPGA Tour member has experience with medals. She represented Ecuador at the 2015 Pan American Games, the 2016 Espirito Santo Trophy and the 2017 Bolivarian Games, winning silvers in the Individual and Mixed Team competitions at the 2017 Bolivarian Games.

In Ecuador, a country of almost 18 million people, golf is becoming increasingly popular, and Darquea is certainly doing her part to assist that growth.

Silver and bronze medalists from 2016 have worked their way into medal consideration

After playing together the first two rounds, the three returning women’s golf medalists from Rio 2016 were pretty much bunched together, well behind leader Nelly Korda entering Friday’s third round. Gold medalist Inbee Park of Korea was 10 back, bronze medalist Shanshan Feng of China nine back and silver medalist Lydia Ko of New Zealand eight back.

Ko made the biggest move on Friday, shooting a bogey-free 66 with five birdies to finish in a tie for third at 10-under 203, five behind leader Nelly Korda of the USA. Feng was continuing her rally from Thursday’s 64 on her birthday with an eagle-2 and two birdies, but then double-bogeyed the par-4 11th. A final birdie-3 on No. 17 gave her a 68 and 7-under total of 206. Park, meanwhile, couldn’t get untracked, finished 71—210.

Feng and Ko, at least, built some momentum on Thursday with Feng shooting 7-under 64 on her birthday and Ko 67. Park finished with a par 71.

“They moved the tee up again own that par four so it became a short par-4 and I just hit like a little controlled driver and then I hit it to three feet, I believe,” Feng said of the eagle on No. 6. “And that was my actually my first eagle of the year. I made a lot of birdies but that’s the first eagle. So I saved it for the best tournament.

“This is the Olympics,” Feng added, “like fourth or fifth it doesn’t matter. Like if it’s not top 3, it’s no difference. And I believe that we have the best girls here in the world so everybody’s going to try to go low tomorrow and somebody will. So hopefully that will be me.”

Ko, meanwhile, could only muster one birdie on the front, but then made four on the back.

“I was just so upset at myself,” Ko said of Thursday’s round of 67 which ended with two bogeys, “because normally I feel like my wedges are some of the most like stronger part of my game and I hadn’t hit a single wedge within 30 feet all day yesterday. At one point I got to realize it’s going too far or too short or something, but I just wasn’t getting a sense of it. And I hit such a great drive down the 18th and I only had like 105 to the pin and I was telling people, you have a 30 feet radius with a gap wedge and I missed that 30 feet, I was like so upset. And, yes, I missed like two, 3-footers, but at the same time trying to 2-putt 60-footers, that’s me putting myself in that position is where that is the flaw and not the putting itself.

“I think if I keep putting myself in 60-footer range I’m going to stress out the bits that I need to do to clean up,” she continued. “So I was really upset at my wedge game and I was hoping that like with the way I was feeling frustrated I didn’t want that to affect the way I went into today. Luckily, I had a pretty smooth start, but then I missed a 3-footer on 2 and I was like, ‘Not again.’ But I think I just stayed patient and there’s so much golf ahead of me. So I just tried to play my heart out and I played the back nine really well today, which was the aspect that I kind of struggled over the last couple days. So definitely nice to I know if issue on that. Hopefully good momentum into the 18 holes we get to play tomorrow.”

Brooke Henderson’s sister holding up despite the heat

Brittany Henderson is sister Brooke’s regular caddie, and is holding up well despite the continued hot conditions that already have sidelined a couple caddies and undoubtedly challenged every one of them. But Brooke said she’s holding up well.

“She’s been amazing,” said Brooke, a returning Olympian for Canada, said following Friday’s round of par 71. “She hasn’t even complained. So, she’s been doing really well. I know not all caddies can say that. I’m pretty proud of her for handling it so well and looking after me after I haven’t been playing very well either, she’s taking care of the both of us.”

Another week, another Irish pairing

Last week in the men’s Olympic competition, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry played their way into the same third-round group. It happened again in the women’s competition, with Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire playing together in Friday’s third round.

McIlroy shot 67 and Lowry 68, with McIlroy playing his way into the seven-way playoff for bronze and Lowry finishing T22. Meadow and Maguire entered the day with a tougher task ahead for medal contention nine strokes behind leader Nelly Korda of the USA.

Meadow gained one stroke on Korda with a 68 and is 7-under for the tournament, which is still well within range of medal contention. Maguire has a bit tougher task after a 70, leaving her at 5-under.

Okay with a medal?

After shooting a 1-under 70 and working her way into a four-way tie for third at 10-under through 54 holes, Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen was asked if she would be okay with sharing a bronze medal if the final round was not played due to inclement weather.

“I mean if I don’t get the chance…,” she said before taking a little time to ponder the question. “I would love to play for gold, but if I don’t get the chance at least I have some kind of a medal now, but I think we’ll play, I hope we’ll play.”

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What we do know is that world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the USA totally destroyed the immaculate, susceptible Kasumigaseki Country Club East Course through 17 holes on Thursday and was staring at the magical women’s 59 that only IGF President Annika Sorenstam has recorded in prominent professional competition, that back in 2001. Although Korda ultimately double-bogeyed the final hole, she still finished the day with a record-tying 62, 9-under par, to open a 4-stroke lead at the midway point of the chase for gold. Or so we hope.

The potential wrench is another Pacific storm that could bring torrential rain and wind to the area by Saturday’s scheduled final round, thus ravaging the tournament’s schedule … even to the extreme possibility of cutting to 54 holes.

That said, the intent is to continue as planned and monitor the storm before making a final decision. Meantime, there have been no cooling showers as the heat index reached a week-high of 43C/109F. With more of the same expected on Friday, the field will be starting on both the 1st and 10th tees.

For now, though, it’s all about the 23-year-old Korda, who stands at 67-62—129, 13 under par. Remarkably, she opened with four straight pars before (heat reference) torching the East Course front nine with a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie stretch to make the turn in 30. Then, after two more pars to start the back nine, she birdied five of the next six holes before coming to the par-4 18th.

The trouble began with a tee shot into the right rough which forced her to punch out to the fairway. But her approach fell just short of the green in a bunker. “I just got a little too cute with that pitch shot,” said Korda, who then blasted out and two-putted for the 6.

Afterward, she said she wasn’t thinking about the possibility of breaking 60, more so that “I was like, oh, cool, I have a pretty good lead going into 18. But unfortunate that double on 18, but that’s golf and that’s just how it goes sometimes.

“I had a really good stretch of holes,” she continued. “I think I was like 4-under or 5-under through four holes at one point on the back. Or on the front. The heat’s getting to me. I just stayed really solid today. On the front I was definitely hitting it better and on the back, I wasn’t hitting it as well but making the longer putts.”

It still tied the women’s Olympic record of 62 set by Russian Maria Verchenova at the 2016 Rio Games, and opened the four-stroke lead over three players: Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark (69-64), Aditi Ashok of India (67-66) and Madsen’s teammate, Emily Kristine Pedersen (70-63). Madsen and Ashok were in the day’s first group and Pedersen teed off two groups later. Another stroke back is first-round leader Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden (66-68).

The 26-year-old Madsen shot up the leaderboard first with a six-hole stretch of six under par with four birdies and an eagle-3 on No. 8. “I had a good run on the front nine. Made three birdies and an eagle in a row,” she said. “So I got to 6-under through 8. I was playing pretty good. Then on the back nine I was still playing all right, I just didn’t — I had some good chances I didn’t make but I was still happy with the back nine.”

Perhaps the key to Madsen’s round was that she didn’t have to rely on the sour taste of lemon wedges that are tucked in her golf bag. She’s relied on the unusual regime of biting a lemon to check her emotions and notoriously quick temper when she senses things are beginning to unravel internally. But that certainly wasn’t the case on Thursday, when her round was more like refreshing lemonade.

With that early scoring streak, she caught and passed Sagstrom and remained at or near the top for the rest of the day, which she ended with a 4-foot birdie putt on No. 18.

Playing alongside her was Ashok, who at 18 was the youngest golfer at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Now a mature and battle-tested 23-year-old, she continued her outstanding play with a steady, bogey-free round with five birdies, including on the final two holes. The one on No. 18 matched Madsen’s own, though Ashok’s barely carried the water before rolling to six feet.

“The last three holes I had a couple shots that were just a good number for me and I hadn’t really had any short approaches all day, maybe just a couple,” Ashok said. “So, yeah it was good to have the same number like two times and hit a couple of good putts as well.”

Regarding her 7-iron approach to No. 18, she said, “I hit it like a hair thin than I wanted to, but yeah, according to the number it should have flown and it did so it’s all good.”

Ashok steadily played her own game, which is shorter and has required hitting hybrids into a number of greens. Still, through two days, she has made 10 birdies and just one bogey to close the first round. “I didn’t hit as many as yesterday, but still probably hit five or six hybrids,” she said.

Pedersen’s own outstanding round of 8 under par featured eight birdies, an eagle-2 and two bogeys. “I was wedging it really well today, which gave me a lot of chances for birdie,” she said. “Then I had a really hot putter today and that’s kind of what made the score, I feel like.” The eagle, though, came from a 3-wood tee shot to eight feet on the shortened 248-yard 6th hole.

It was the same club that Korda used for her eagle on the same hole, which came on a 25-foot putt. And it proved to be the catalyst to a remarkable day. Though No. 18 cost her the six-stroke lead she had built, she is ready for whatever comes next.

“I’m going to have the mindset that it’s going to be a 72-hole tournament and whatever happens, happens,” Korda said.

Other Notes/Quotes

Heat remained a primary area of concern

Due to the continued extreme conditions, with the heat index expected to reach 43C/109F, mitigation measures were implemented, including umbrellas being made available to all players and caddies on the 1st tee, roving carts with ice and cooling towels, and volunteers with umbrellas on each tee.

The heat cost two premier players their caddies, World No. 10 Yuka Saso of the Philippines and World No. 12 American Lexi Thompson. Saso had a new caddie in place by the time she teed off for the first round, but Thompson had to find a replacement for Thursday’s second round after her regular caddie, Jack Fulghum, had to drop out with two holes to go on Wednesday.

She was able to get someone with experience in Drew Hinesley, who was in Tokyo working with NBC. Hinesley had previously caddied on the PGA TOUR for then-amateur Bryson DeChambeau at the 2016 Masters Tournament.

Field’s only two lefties paired together

It’s something you don’t see every day, two lefties playing in same group. But that was the case during the first two rounds of the Olympic women’s golf tournament with the only two lefthanders in the field, Kim Metraux of Switzerland and India’s Diksha Dagar, the last player to get in the field.

On Thursday, Metreaux brought further attention to the unique pairing when she holed her second shot of the day for an eagle-2 at the opening hole. The righty who rounded out the group was Tonje Daffinrud of Norway, who sits 60th at 12-over through 36 holes.

Parental advice at two different Olympics

As an 18-year-old Aditi Ashok took her dad, Ashok Gudlamani, to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she made history as the youngest player in either the men’s or women’s competition and the only representative from India in the women’s field. It wasn’t a vacation for her dad. He caddied for his daughter en route to a tie for 41st and experience the duo will never forget. Five years later she has her mom, Maheshwari, on the bag in Tokyo.

“Last time, I had my dad on the bag, so that experience was just so incredible,” Ashok said. “I was like, I want to have my mom next time. I made good on that promise.”

It’s working out well for the now 23-year-old, who was asked about the difference between the caddie skills of her mom and her dad.

“I think when my dad’s there he knows my game a lot more, probably sometimes more than I know myself, so I always feel compelled to rely on him sometimes,” she said. “Whereas this week I know my mom’s there, I can ask her anything, but in terms of like golf advice she may not be able to help me as much as my dad. So I’m just, I guess I’m committing to my decisions more and being more decisive on my own.”

Dynamic Danes in medal contention

The Danish duo of Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Emily Kristine Pedersen shone brightly in Thursday’s second round with Madsen’s 7-under 64 and Pedersen’s 8-under 63 placing the pair in medal contention, tied for second at 9-under, four strokes back of Nelly Korda from the United States.

“Well I had a good run on the front nine,” said Madsen, who made four birdies and an eagle in her first eight holes. “Then on the back nine I was still playing all right, I had some good chances I didn’t make but I was still happy with the back nine.”

Two groups later, Pedersen hit a lot of wedges close and rode a hot putter to join her fellow Dane near the top of the leaderboard.

“I think it’s a really good showcase of golf for Denmark and for women’s golf in Denmark and super happy that we’re both up there,” said Pedersen. “I think we’re producing a lot of really, really good and talented players, when you think about how small we are and how many are on Tour and winning. So I think Danish golf is growing and I think that’s really important.”

Pedersen and Madsen played junior golf together at the same golf club and their families live 500 meters from each other. They grew up together and kind of followed each other all the way.

“We kind of always have been pushing each other, competing and I think that’s one of the reasons we’re both so good and it’s been a good environment to grow up in, having someone to push you a lot,” said Pedersen.

The pair are staying together this week and plan to continue the routine they’ve had off the course, which includes stretching, treatment and eating Chinese food.

Why not Japanese food?

“We have a Chinese restaurant in the hotel,” said Pedersen with a smile.

Olympic ace is highlight for Haddioui

Morocco’s Maha Haddioui, playing in her second Olympic Golf Competition having represented her country in Rio in 2016, made a hole-in-one with a 7-iron at the 163-yard 7th hole, the first ace at the Tokyo Olympics and the fourth in women’s Olympic golf since its return in 2016.

‘Amazing’ was how Haddioui described her first ace in any tournament.

“I’m really excited it happened here,” she said. “I’m always complaining I never got a hole-in-one yet. Always so close. But having it this week, in the Olympics, representing Morocco, I couldn’t ask for better.”

Haddioui’s scorecard included the rare cycle of a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 among her 18 holes on Thursday.

All four women’s Olympic aces have come from players representing different countries – Lydia Ko (NZL), Xiyu Lin (CHN), Maria Verchenova (RUS) and Haddioui (MAR).

Aussie Green hot and cold in search for gold (or silver or bronze)

Following an even-par opening-round 71, Australia’s Hannah Green notched eight birdies and two bogeys en route to a second-round 6-under 65 to sit 6-under and seven strokes back of leader America’s Nelly Korda, but just three strokes back from a current medal position.

“I felt like yesterday was just a matter of getting the rust off,” said Green. “Today I gave myself a lot more opportunities for birdie and managed to roll a couple really important putts in and it kind of just gave me some motivation and some confidence with the putter. So I did exactly what I wanted and hopefully I can keep doing that for the next couple rounds.”

With inclement weather forecast for the weekend and a possibility of the women’s competition being reduced from 72 holes to 54 holes, Green was eyeing her position on the leaderboard when she completed her round early in the day.

“I would like two more days to get back up there,” said Green. “I feel like now that I’ve had a good round I can see what’s capable and there’s no reason why I can’t keep climbing. I really hope that this weather stays away and lets us have a 72-hole tournament.”

Green, a native of Perth where temperatures regularly climb into triple digits (F) during the summer, utilized an ice vest that her team management organized for her to stay cool.

“I pretty much used it every opportunity that I got,” she said. “It wasn’t so bad the first nine holes, the last nine was definitely starting to get warm, but today I have to make sure I’m doing the right thing, but I also have to think about the next couple days. So very grateful for the team running around everywhere and looking after me and my caddie.”

Feng celebrates 32 with 64

China’s Shanshan Feng, the bronze medallist in Rio 2016, celebrated her 32nd birthday in style when she fired a flawless 7-under 64 to haul herself back into medal contention on Thursday. After a disappointing 74 on the first day, Feng sank seven birdies against no bogeys to move up to tied 11th place on 4-under 138.

Feng knows she has her work cut out if she hopes to get back on the podium in Tokyo.

“It was pretty good. My ball striking was much better, so I gave myself a lot of birdie chances and I made most of them. So 7-under I think, yes, I’m still behind, but at least I think it’s halfway there,” said Feng.

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Leader Madelene Sagstrom certainly didn’t experience the 41C/105.8F afternoon heat index in her home country of Sweden, but she did attend Louisiana State University, now lives in Orlando, Florida, and has played in even worse furnace-like conditions in Thailand and Singapore.

That said …

“I’m not going to lie, it’s very hot,” Sagstrom said after shooting 5-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead over world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the USA and Aditi Ashok of India. “But it’s manageable. I know I mean most of us have been in Asia, played a lot of golf over here so we know kind of what to do, you drink a lot of water you have cooling towels, umbrellas, kind of just maintaining the energy and not go crazy. I think at this point it’s harder for the caddies than it is for the players, so it’s more about making sure they’re staying upright.”

Which, in fact, has been a problem.

On Tuesday, U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso had to replace her caddie due to the heat. And today, American Lexi Thompson lost her regular caddie, Jack Fughum, on the 15th hole and had team manager Donna Wilkins step in to finish the round. “I was so worried about him and, I mean, it’s so hot out there,” Thompson said after a difficult round of 73. “I’m from Florida and I’m still not used to that bad of heat. I just hope that he’s okay and he gets the hydration he needs, the nutrients tonight to go into the next few days. If not, I’ll figure something else out. I just want him to be healthy.”

Korda is another Floridian who is used to hot playing conditions, but after her round, she admitted to being light-headed a couple of times when teeing up her ball. “I think the mental aspect of it is probably the hardest just because you have to keep yourself hydrated and you kind of lose it a little out there,” she said. “But I kept myself in it, made sure I drank a lot of electrolytes, too.”

So Wednesday, in part, became a matter of survival, with Sagstrom coming away as the leader after a clean five-birdie, bogey-free round.

“I would say mostly my short game was kind of my savior,” she said. “I was striking the ball all right but not great, so having a strong short game and just giving myself the chances, like solid par chances was kind of the key of my round today.”

Sagstrom then echoed a consistent Olympic golf theme by praising the East Course and its condition. “This course is beautiful,” she said. “The condition of it has been perfect from the start. I like long golf courses in general and it fits my game really well, so very excited with the layout, it suits my eye and the greens are rolling phenomenal which works with my putting too. So, it’s phenomenal.”

Korda, meanwhile, after parring the first hole, went bogey-birdie-bogey before birdieing three of the next four holes, then played consistently on the back with two more birdies. “I’m hoping I’m in total control,” she said. “I kind of sprayed some shots out to the right on my last two holes with my irons, but you’re going to have that, you’re going to lose a little bit of concentration, but I’m going to go to the range after, after I cool off inside for a bit and then try and work on it.”

After Korda finished, Ashok came in with a chance to finish at 5-under by herself but bogeyed the final hole.

“I think I played better than I expected today because I had a lot of hybrids into the greens, so I didn’t really expect to be like 5-under through 17,” said Ashok, a returning Olympian who was the youngest golfer five years ago in Rio at age 18. “But, yeah, I kind of holed some putts and holed important par putts as well which kept the momentum. So, yeah, it was a good day.”

Another stroke back at 3-under 68 are Matilda Castren of Finland, Jin Young Ko of Korea and Carlota Ciganda of Spain. They are followed by nine players at 69, including returning gold medalist Inbee Park and teammate Sei Young Kim of Korea.

There’s also Wei-Ling Hsu of Chinese Taipei, who settled at 69 after taking the early lead with birdies on five of the first six holes … perhaps inspired by the outstanding performance of compatriot C.T. Pan on Sunday. She helped celebrate after Pan recovered from an opening 74, shot a closing 63 to make a seven-way playoff for the bronze, then emerged as the last man standing against the likes of Japan’s national golf hero Hideki Matsuyama, Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and American Collin Morikawa, who was the last to fall. As the world’s 208th-ranked player at the time, Pan outlasted these three players who have combined for seven major championship titles, including two this year. Once Pan beat Morikawa with a par at the 18th hole, Hsu was among several who rushed the green and doused Pan with water.

“That was amazing, what C.T. did,” Hsu said. “I was practicing here on Thursday and I think he shot like 3-over (on Thursday) and he is just amazing. He kept making birdies and in the playoff with seven people, he played another four holes. I was able to be in there to watch him and recognize that someone from Chinese Taipei was able make a bronze medal in front of me. I was able to watch the ceremony and I was tearing in my eyes. I was so touched. It was just incredible. It’s so touching every time someone wins a medal which is an inspiration to me.”

Now the field returns to Kasumigaseki Thursday for another day of sweltering heat, another day of hydration, electrolytes and survival, and a clear vision of what’s at stake.

Other Notes/Quotes

Japan’s women hope to deliver medals for their home country

The performance of Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama was inspiring, if not disappointing. Weighted by the combination of the golf-crazed host nation and his drained endurance due to a recent bout with COVID-19, Matsuyama hung near the top of the leaderboard and battled his way into a 7-way playoff for bronze, only to fall short of the bronze medal. He had chances to change the narrative throughout Sunday despite his low stamina, but missed several makeable putts down the stretch.

Nonetheless, two of his biggest supporters, Team Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Mone Inami, were inspired by his performance, with Hataoka being onsite to follow him over the weekend at Kasumigaseki Country Club. They now hope to use that to spur them on when the women’s tournament begins Wednesday at Kasumigaseki Country Club. “It was extremely inspiring to watch him trying to go get the medal until the last second,” Hataoka said. “So, we will try to win the medal on the girls’ side.”

Both got off to a solid enough start Wednesday by shooting 1-under-par 70.

Inami arrived late Sunday and had a brief chat with Matsuyama about the course conditions and differences on the East Course since the last time she played it. “He also mentioned that because he couldn’t win the medal on the guys’ side, he sent me a good luck message on the girls’ side,” said Inami, who had the honor of opening the women’s competition Wednesday with the first tee shot.

Both certainly have the pedigree to challenge this week, and not just because of their familiarity with the East Course.

Hataoka, No. 11 in the world, is coming off a victory at the Marathon LPGA Classic, her first win on the LPGA in two years, coming several weeks after nearly winning the U.S. Women’s Open before losing in a playoff to Yuka Saso of the Phillipines. Inami, meanwhile, has five victories and seven other top-10s this year on the Japan LPGA.

Both say they were inspired by Matsuyama’s gutsy performance for their home country.

“I watched a lot of the Japanese athletes win the gold medals and it’s been very inspiring,” Hataoka said. “I hope we can do the same in the women’s golf.”

“I’m not really feeling the pressure,” Inami said, “but I’m more focused on having fun and hopefully I can deliver my best performance and play well out here.”

Don’t mess with Mexico …

Carlos Ortiz of Mexico said he had a blast staying in the Olympic Village last week, and part of the unique experience was staying with several Mexican boxers and their coaches. Now that it’s the women’s turn at Kasumigaseki Country Club, Olympians Gaby Lopez and Maria Fassi were asked about their rooming situation in the Village. The exchange went thusly:

“Yeah, we got weightlifters and boxers, too,” Fassi said.

“We got boxers,” Lopez emphasized.

“And a couple girls from rowing, I think,” Fassi continued. “So we’re protected as well.”

“Yeah, we’re the little girls,” Lopez added.

“Yeah, don’t mess with the Mexican team this week,” Fassi warned with a laugh.

Korda sisters felt the nerves as Xander Schauffele closed out his golden victory

The Korda sisters took time to follow fellow USA Olympian Xander Schauffele for the final holes of his gold medal performance Sunday. And it was nervous for both of them, particularly when he had to lay up from the rough on the final hole before saving par with a brilliant wedge shot to four feet.

“Definitely for me I was nervous on 18 when he pushed his tee shot out to the right and had to lay up,” said world No. 1 Nelly Korda. “But what a clutch pitch shot into 18 and making that putt. Especially with how well the guy in second played,” referring to Slovakian representative Rory Sabbatini, who put pressure on Schauffele with an Olympic record 10-under-par 61.

“Yeah, my Whoop registered an activity in like the last hole,” added Jessica Korda, referring to an elevated heart rate. “So I think we’re really feeling it for him and like Nelly says, it was just so clutch coming down the stretch and that last hole and with the putt and everything that it’s bigger than us and, than golf. So, it was just really cool.”

Nelly got off to a strong start with a 67 and tie for second, while Jessica shot par 71.

A very special moment in an outstanding career

Shanshan Feng of China has compiled more than 20 victories over the past decade, including one major championship. But the third place finish she earned five years ago in the Rio Olympics remains a favorite moment in her outstanding career.

And while other trophies are on display in her home, the bronze medal is tucked away in a safe, removed upon special request from visitors.

“Because it’s small enough, it’s staying in a safe itself,” she said. “It’s not put with the other trophies. When I have friends coming over, if they want to take a look at it, yes, I would show them the medal.”

Just how special is it?

“Out of all of my achievements, I would say a medal at the Olympics is very special because even though I have been a major winner … we have five majors every year, we have in four years 20 chances to win a major. So, I would say it’s harder, much harder to get a medal at the Olympics. So it was, of course, my one of what do you call that? I mean, like the most important or memorized moment in my career, I would say that.”

Feng struggled Wednesday in her return, shooting 3-over 74.

And then there was silver medalist Lydia Ko …

Unlike Feng, 2016 silver medalist Lydia Ko actually isn’t sure where her medal is. “I honestly think it’s in my dad’s wardrobe,” said the New Zealander, who shot 1-under 70 Wednesday. “I think he’s seen it more than me. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

Not that it still isn’t special to her, and she’s relishing a return trip to the Olympics. “I always say that technically the silver medal, I came second to Inbee (Park), but it’s probably the most prestigious and honorable silverware that I’ve got … and no matter if you end up standing on the podium at the end of Saturday or not, just being here and to be able to represent your country and to say that you’re an Olympian, a select few athletes are able to say that. So I think we’re all champions just being here, so I’m just trying to enjoy and be grateful for my second opportunity at the Olympics.”

She then recalled an amusing realization when she was traveling back with the medal.

“I remember I think I was traveling from Rio to Canada, because the Canadian Open was the week after and I left it in my carry on and I think it beeped because, you know, it was obviously a hefty-size medal and you could see in the X ray it was like a perfect circle with what looks like a lanyard almost. And I was like, yeah, that’s the silver medal, which was like a very kind of cool moment. Obviously clearly it’s a perfect circle, that’s my silver medal. I’m normally, I think, not the type to say, hey, like this is what I got, but the Olympics is so special, ever since they announced that in 2016 golf was going to be back in the Olympics in over a hundred years, I knew that I wanted to make the team. I’m always proud to represent New Zealand on a daily basis when we’re playing on Tour and to be able to do that at the Olympics, alongside the best athletes, it’s a pretty surreal experience and I know that it was such an honorable moment.”

Ko also recalls when the last putt dropped to clinch the medal. “I was like a whole array of emotions going through me,” she said. “I thought I was going to cry, but then I saw to my right and Inbee was not crying and she was the gold medalist. I was like, I don’t know if the silver medalist deserves to cry when the gold medalist is like totally fine. So, I think I held back my tears then. But I think it was very meaningful, not for myself only, but for my team and my family and everyone that’s kind of walked through this journey with me to be there and make me be the person that I was at that point.”

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After starting his final round at seven-under par in T-17th position, Sabbatini dug deep to card a course record-smashing, ten-under par 61 for sole second.

Rory Sabbatini 4 days ago… “If things work out and I was able to medal, it would be extremely impactful on Slovakian golf…”

Fast-forward to @OlympicGolf Silver Medalist at #Tokyo2020!! 🥈👏 🇸🇰 @olympijskytim #PGASK #SlovakGolf #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/KkYKqv6xC7

— Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] (@cpg_golf) August 1, 2021

“I was out there…just trying to remind myself, okay, don’t think ahead, don’t think ahead, just enjoy the moment that you’re in because you don’t know when it’s going to end, just enjoy every hole as it comes,” Sabbatini said.

“It just seemed like every time I kind of had a hiccup out there I was like, oh, maybe this is the end of the run, but okay. And then all of a sudden, I kicked back into gear. So, it was a lot of fun and it was just one of those rare days that you have on the golf course.”

Any Olympic medal is undoubtedly special, but the legacy of this silver medal may well live on a bit longer than most. Slovakia is a modest golfing nation – 45 PGA Professionals working across around 30 facilities with 8-9,000 golfers – so a role model such as Sabbatini securing a spot on the podium is something that, until recently, may have seemed a long way off.

That was until a family connection sparked the idea of a change in citizenship to match that of his Slovakian wife and caddie for the week, Martina [pictured, above], and an idea from her cousin and President of the Slovak Golf Association, Rastislav Antala.

“You know Slovakia did not have anybody, so he [Rastislav] started saying there has got to be a great opportunity to create some interest in the game of golf and to get more kids involved and hopefully develop future generations of Slovak golfers,” explained Sabbatini at the beginning of the Olympic week.

“We are using it as a springboard to hopefully get some corporations, and the government, behind golf to develop future golfers. Before I came over to Tokyo, I was in Slovakia for a week and spent a lot of time with junior golfers and they were so extremely excited about it. Being able to medal means it will be extremely impactful and raise the excitement even more for these junior golfers.”

Antala [pictured above celebrating with Sabbatini] was on hand throughout the Olympic week and was able to give an idea of just what kind of impact the Olympian would have:

“For us it is a huge milestone. A few years ago, we had not even thought about it but here we are…getting a lot of messages from very excited people and ready to go.

“The interest is there, and this is exactly what we hope to accomplish…basically grow the interest for the sports in our country and hopefully get young kids to start playing and to see Rory as a role model.

“I have been involved in Slovakian golf since it started this new era of the late 90s, so it is a very young sport and I remember how we were simply trying to raise the money to basically just participate in amateur championships. Now we are more professionalised, are trying to move ahead and grow the number of people…we honestly did not even dream about this one – it is beyond or dreams to be here.”

Sabbatini’s work in promoting golf in the country was also well underway well ahead of the Olympics, after competing in, and winning, the Slovak Open in 2019:

“We met Rory in 2015, when he did his first charity event at Penati Golf Resort,” explains PGA of Slovakia General Secretary, Peter Petrovič. “After he became an official Slovak citizen and was at the Slovak Open, we agreed that he would be part of the PGA of Slovakia organisation as a Member.

“We are extremely proud that one of our Members has been able to compete at the Olympics…and it will only open the door to others – maybe not today or in a year, but we believe that we will raise the successor of the first golf Olympian.

“In the last two seasons we have had an increase in children and their parents becoming golfers. Hard work and everything you need to inspire children to play and win is encouraged, so we believe that new hopes worthy of the Olympics will emerge…children have to have stars to look up to and now we have Rory – he wants to help Slovak golf, and we are there to help as the coaches that will raise these future stars.”

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Schauffele [pictured, below] ultimately emerged the winner on this hot, sunny day, clinching his golden moment with one final, gutsy par-save on the final hole for a 4-under par 67 and 18-under total. But it took the mental resilience he said came by way of his upbringing, fostered by a father of German-French descent and Chinese Taipei mother who was raised in Japan. Consider it a respectful nod to the culture of the host country, where his grandparents still live.

“I felt like for the most part of the day I stayed very calm,” Schauffele said. “I usually look very calm but there’s something terrible happening inside at times. So I was able to learn on those moments where I’ve lost coming down the stretch, where I hit a bad shot or a bad wedge or a bad putt and sort of lose my cool. But I felt like today I really, I thought I had a one-shot lead going into 16 or 17 and I looked at the board and I saw Rory shot 61, so that was a nice wake up call for me; thank goodness there was a board there or I wouldn’t have known. Yeah, it was a roller coaster day for me especially on that back nine coming in and just happy I could fall back on parts of my game to sort of pull me through.”

Until that one swing on the par-5 14th hole produced a wayward drive and bogey, Schauffele remained undeterred through a scoring assault that was unfolding ahead, led by Sabbatini’s brilliant record-setting round that concluded more than an hour ahead of him. In fact, the perfect scoring conditions led to a seven-player elimination for the bronze medal, which was finally decided on the fourth extra hole with C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei beating Collin Morikawa of the USA with a par 4 on No. 18. Both had matched the former Olympic record of 63 Sunday to get into the playoff.

Before the late drama unfolded, it appeared to be Schauffele’s private coronation. He entered the day leading Japan’s Olympic hope, Hideki Matsuyama, by one. Then birdies on the first two holes extended his lead to three and indicated the work he had done with his father/swing coach, Stefan, the evening before had resolved some driving issues that developed in round three.

He added two more birdies and seemingly was cruising along until No. 14, where he badly pushed his drive that ended up in dense underbrush and forced a penalty drop. Schauffele managed to save bogey, but that dropped him into a tie with Sabbatini at 17-under par … and his internal battle was on.

“I was cruising pretty nice, I saw that I had a three-shot lead going into 14 and made an absolute mess of the hole,” Schauffele said. “I really tried to keep my head down from that point on and I saw the massive board on 16. So the early putts that fell and the good shots were nice for a cushion and it was fortunately just enough for me to squeak by finishing up.”

While Schauffele had four holes ahead of him, Sabbatini [pictured, above] was waiting with his wife and caddie, Martina, to see how it would unfold. He had done everything he could, putting together a masterpiece that consisted of 10 birdies, and eagle-2, five pars and two bogeys. The closing birdie on 18 came with an emphatic fist pump as the ball approached the hole, giving Sabbatini the men’s Olympic record by two strokes.

“I was out there today and I kept just trying to remind myself, okay, don’t think ahead, don’t think ahead, just enjoy the moment that you’re in because you don’t know what it’s going to end, just enjoy every hole as it comes,” Sabbatini said. “It just seemed like every time I kind of had a hiccup out there I was like, oh, maybe this is the end of the run, but okay. And then all of a sudden, I kicked back into gear. So it was a lot of fun and it was just one of those rare days that you have on the golf course.”

Schauffele finally managed to retake the lead with a birdie-3 on the 17th hole, which was shortened to just 305 yards. But then on No. 18, another pushed drive forced Schauffele to lay up into the fairway, leaving a wedge to the hole. Undeterred, he calmly wedged to four feet and holed the par putt.

“Well, I tell you what, it (the wait) was for a long time,” said Sabbatini, who at 45 was the oldest player in the field. “It seemed like it was inevitable that Xander was going to win and then all of a sudden he created some excitement for us. So, he definitely kind of put me back on edge waiting there at the end.

“It was fun,” he added. “He played fantastic, he’s a great champion and I’m just happy to be able to stand anywhere near him on the podium.”

Once that drama was settled, it was time to settle the bronze medal winner in a star-packed field that also included Matsuyama (who shot 67), Paul Casey of Great Britain (68), Rory McIlroy of Ireland (67), Mito Pereira of Chile (67) and Sebastián Muñoz of Colombia (67). It was so large, it required splitting into two groups.

Matsuyama and Casey were eliminated first, followed by Muñoz, then Pereira and McIlroy.

“I was not able to deliver the performance I was hoping for,” Matsuyama said. ”At the same time, the positive is that I was able to contend. At one point of the round, there was a moment where I could potentially catch up and move past the leaders. But I just was not able to put it together at the end. There are somethings that I’ve identified that I need to work on, which I hope to work on moving forward.”

Morikawa bogeyed the final hole after his approach to the 18th green plugged in the steep upslope of the fronting bunker. Pan sank a par-saving putt for the medal.

“Very satisfying,” Pan [pictured, above] said. “It came as a surprise to me too. After day one, plus 3, 74, I remember I texted one of my good friends and I was like, the struggle is real. So it’s quite a turnaround for this week winning the bronze medal that I couldn’t even think about it, didn’t even think about it after Thursday’s round. So overall that was a very happy ending.”

Morikawa, on the other hand, thought his approach would make the green. “It was a long four holes and I thought my shot was going to be all right and just mishit it,” he said. “CT played great and we had to shoot 8-under for both of us to get in this playoff for bronze. So, it sucks, but hopefully it’s not a last and hopefully we’ll be back in four years.”

McIlroy for one came away more determined than ever to earn an Olympic medal.

“Yeah, it does, it makes me even more determined going to Paris (in 2024) and trying to pick one up,” he said. “It’s disappointing going away from here without any hardware, I’ve been saying all day I never tried so hard in my life to finish third. But it’s been a great experience, today was a great day to be up there in contention for a medal … certainly had a different feeling to it than I expected and yeah, as I said I’m already looking forward to three years’ time and trying to go at least one better but hopefully three better.”

Casey, on the other hand, at age 44 is unsure whether he will get another chance at the Olympics, But he made the most of this opportunity, playing his way into the final pairing after tying with Carlos Ortiz of Mexico for third.

He eloquently summed up the Olympic experience, saying, “This is my first Olympics, so I think that’s the one thing I witnessed a lot this week is there’s triumph and there’s the heart ache and we have seen it in the (Olympic) Village we have soon it in Team GB (Great Britain). Now you’ve seen it here on the golf course as well. So, I mean, first of all, what a day to play the final group in the Olympics with Hideki and then Xander gold medalist in Japan. Brilliant. For me that was one of the coolest rounds to be a part of. Sure, I wish I could have got my driver working a bit better and I struggled, but I battled and I’m so very proud of how hard I worked and tried to squeeze as much out of my game as I possibly could. Would love to have brought a medal home, not just for myself but for Team GB, would have been the ultimate. But the whole week has been phenomenal. I’ve made friends, can’t say enough good things about my experience this week.”

It was a common thread throughout the week, which ended with a most memorable day, particularly for the medal winners.

“I feel good,” Schauffele said of winning the gold medal in Japan, considering his heritage. “I maybe put more pressure on myself to go win this more than anything else for quite some time … And my ties here with my grandparents living here and my mom growing up here as well, there’s just all these things that sort of motivated me to do better, be better. And maybe I put more pressure on myself but it was sort of more than just golf for me and I’m just really, really happy and fortunate to be sitting here.”

Other Notes/Quotes

Behind every great round is a great caddie … or wife?

Might be a saying in there somewhere. That certainly seemed to be the case in the silver/bronze pairing that included Rory Sabbatini, representing Slovakia, and C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei. Both had their wives caddying for them this week – Michelle on C.T.’s bag and Martina on Rory’s. And while it might have taken some time, the combination certainly paid off on Sunday. Sabbatini set a new Olympic scoring record with a blistering round of 10-under 61, while Pan tied the former record of 63. When they finished, Sabbatini was sitting alone in second place and Pan was tied for third with three others. But there was still a long wait ahead to see if they had done enough for medal. At least, they could do so in good company.

“I had the privilege of playing with CT today, so we kind of spurred each other one and he played some fantastic golf and down the end there suddenly I wasn’t so worried about Xander I was worried about CT” Sabbatini said. “So I tried to keep my foot on the gas to keep ahead of him. I think that kind of set the stage for us to put a little bit of pressure on Xander without him knowing.”

Strong showing for Chile

Chile had a particularly strong showing this week with Mito Pereira tying for third and going into a seven-way playoff for the bronze medal and Joaquin Niemann T10 after closing rounds of 67 and 65, respectively.

“Just a great experience and it was great to play for something bigger than me, for my country, so absolutely taking that out,” said Pereira, who had a very makeable birdie putt to win on the second playoff hole but saw it lip out. “I can’t believe that lip out just happened. It’s crazy. I hit a really good shot and it was a perfect putt and I don’t know what happened.”

While Pereira jumped into contention from the outset, Niemann had a slow start with opening rounds of 70 and 69 before shooting 66-65 on the weekend.

“Overall, it was a great week,” Niemann said. “Obviously, I wanted to play better the first two days to give myself a better chance for the weekend, but, yeah, I’m really proud of the way I played on the last two days and giving myself a chance on the last couple holes where I couldn’t make some birdies there. But, yeah, I’m pretty happy the way I finished and hopefully we can somehow win a medal.”

It ultimately didn’t happen, but Niemann came away with a positive memory. “It was a good experience being in Japan being in my first Olympics, I’m going to really remember my first Olympics. I enjoyed it. Yeah, I’m excited to come back and hopefully get another chance [in Paris].”

Thomas recovers with a 65, ending a memorable Olympic experience on a positive note

It wasn’t the week that world No. 4 Justin Thomas wanted or expected, but he at least gained some satisfaction with a closing round of 65 after struggling mightily with his putting the first three days. He finished 10 under par, well behind gold medal teammate Xander Schauffele.

“I think the scores are pretty self-explanatory,” he said after playing the first three rounds in 4-under par. “But it was nice to play well today. The experience was great, it’s a shame that there wasn’t able to be fans because Japan always has an unbelievable turnout and just with the amount of volunteers that were here, let alone if fans could have been here, it would have made a special week even more special. So, it was a shame, but it’s great, I mean with all that’s going on in the world, especially here, we’re fortunate that we were able to compete and it’s pretty cool to say that I’m an Olympian.”

Asked about the overall Olympic experience, Thomas said, “It’s just, it’s so different. It was cooler than I thought it was. I’m more proud of being here than I thought I would be. I thought I would be proud, but the first like day or two I immediately found out that this is like the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of. The Ryder Cup is cool, the Presidents Cup’s cool, but this is just so different. I grew up watching the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the majors, and never grew up watching this, so no one was ever able to relay or say how it felt being an Olympian, especially a golfer. And so, it was really — I was never hitting putts as an 8, 10-year-old on the putting green to win the Olympics and win a gold medal. So, I think when you don’t have the ability to dream something, when you get here it’s, it can sometimes just take you by surprise and this definitely exceeded that.”

Playing with the yardages

Several interesting facts about Sunday’s course set-up: The 4th hole was playing as the longest par-3 of the week at 248 yards. Conversely, the 10th hole was the shortest par 3 of the week at 175 yards. And adding to the potential closing drama, the 17th hole, which averaged 344 yards over the first three days, was shortened to a temptingly reachable 305 yards. Only the 6th hole, which surrendered several eagles this week, played shorter at 294 yards on Friday.

Quiet as a Fox

It became early on that the course was ripe for scoring. While Rory Sabbatini was grabbing attention by moving quickly into contention with six under through eight holes, Ryan Fox was rather quietly polishing off a round of 64 with a six-birdie 29 on the closing nine.

“It was just a little too late,” said Fox, who entered the day plus-2 for the tournament. “I actually played quite nicely all week and got nothing out of my rounds and it was kind of the opposite today. I hit a lot of good shots, but when I was in trouble, I made some pars and when I hit good shots I made birdie, which is, that’s been the opposite this week. So it was nice to get a decent round under the belt.”

It capped what has been a rewarding first experience as an Olympian.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Obviously a bit different to last time with the COVID scenario and not getting to go to events and maybe not having the same level of socializing that we had last time, but I mean to get to represent your country at the pinnacle, at the Olympics, is pretty cool and certainly something I wouldn’t want to turn down and a great honor to do. And hopefully, I get another chance to do it in the future.”

FIND OUT MORE AT IGFGOLF.ORG

Images courtesy of IGF Golf (Photo by Stan Badz/Ben Jared/PGA TOUR/IGF)

Once Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino calmed his nerves to lace the opening drive down the fairway shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time, focus turned to his fellow playing competitors, Sepp Straka of Austria and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, as they made quick work of the ideal scoring conditions. Quite literally.

By the time Straka set an East Course record and matched the 2016 Olympic men’s record of 8-under-par 63, and Pieters shot his own 65, they were nearly three full holes ahead of the next grouping. Straka’s two-stroke lead eventually would dwindle to one after Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who was 6-under through 15 when an afternoon thunderstorm delayed play for over two hours, came back to birdie the final hole for a 64.

Pieters, who overcame a rough day on Wednesday with a slight fever and headache, was matched by Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, while Joachim Hansen of Denmark and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela shot 66. The top of the leaderboard was decidedly international, with 17 countries represented among the top 20, which excluded notable names such as the host country’s main hope, Hideki Matsuyama (69), Collin Morikawa (69) and Justin Thomas (71 with 18 pars) of USA, and Rory McIlroy of Ireland (69), to name a few.

Straka, who lived in Austria until age 14 before his family moved to the U.S., obviously was comfortable in the lead-off position and with the pairing he had. “We had a really good group, had some good mojo going in the group and first off was great,” he said. “We didn’t have to wait on anybody and we played quickly, but we didn’t feel rushed because we had some pretty good space between us and the group behind us, so that was really key.”

On the surface, Straka seemingly had no reason to expect a round that matched the 63s recorded at the 2016 Rio Olympics by Australia’s Marcus Fraser (first round) and bronze medalist Matt Kuchar of the USA (final round). In his last seven starts on the PGA TOUR, Straka had six missed cuts sandwiched around one bright spot of a T10 at the Travelers Championship. But he saw promise.

“I felt like my game was in a pretty good spot,” said Straka, who has the added support this week of twin brother Sam serving as his caddie. “Those first few weeks before Travelers when I missed the cut my irons were bad, but my short game was really good. So I worked on my irons a lot and then my short game got bad. So that’s when I missed the last couple cuts. But yeah, I just changed my putting routine up a little bit and it worked really well and my irons have been pretty good the last few weeks, so I felt pretty good about my game.”

Straka was steady throughout, giving himself good scoring opportunities with fairways hit and strong iron play to finish with eight birdies.

Janewattananond, meanwhile, checked his initial nerves to finish the day with an unblemished card that included seven birdies. “I feel very good to be representing Thailand,” he said. “Playing golf is a different mindset when you’re not playing for yourself, but you’re playing for your country and a medal. I’ve played every major. I got very nervous at the Masters, but this was more nervous than that.”

Pieters, on the other hand, didn’t know what to expect as he entered the day, physically drained from the fever and headache that still had a lingering effect when he woke up Thursday. “I felt horrible this morning even when I woke up, but maybe it’s just because I wasn’t thinking about bad shots or places not to hit it,” he said. “My caddie (Adam Marrow) told me hit it there and I did it … I kept it simple.”

Pieters was only able to practice on the front nine, which he played Thursday in 1-under par. Then he made the turn and relying on his caddie, holed out for an eagle-2 on No. 11 and added birdies on 13, 17 and 18. “Adam did a great job,” Pieters said. “I didn’t play my way out of the tournament the first day, so that’s good.”

Which leaves him in a position to contend again for a medal. Pieters is the highest returning finisher from Rio, where he finished fourth despite a third-round 77 that sidetracked his otherwise stellar play with rounds of 67, 66 and 65.

Ortiz, who also finished his round before the storm hit, made seven birdies and a lone bogey on No. 9.

“It’s a great round, I’m really happy the way I played,” he said. “Everything wasn’t perfect from the beginning, I had to figure it out a little bit. I couldn’t hit the fairways and this golf course is pretty tough from the rough. So, once I got in a rhythm and started hitting fairways it became a little bit more easy and opened up the golf course. And obviously you guys have seen these greens are perfect, so if you start to roll the ball great you can make a lot of putts.”

It’s something that translates easily into all golf languages.

Other Quotes

Hideki Matsuyama on representing the host country: “This experience could be the first and last that I ever get to do to play the Olympics in my home country, but hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to put together a better round. If I say there’s no pressure I’ll be lying, so hopefully I’ll be able to embrace the pressure and that’s upon me and just try to put together a nice tournament here.”

Justin Thomas, who made 18 straight pars, on his putting: “It’s really hard. I would love to have some kind of old useless club that I could break over my knee right now. I mean, I’m going to be honest. But you got to stay patient and trust the process, I guess could you say, but it obviously is annoying when I’m not really seeing the results and things that I feel like the work I’m putting in. But I’m getting closer, like I said, it’s just so — I never had so many putts, like especially at The Open Championship and had some again here, where I feel like I’m hitting good putts, feel like it’s good speed and they’re just lipping out instead of lipping in. You get on those runs sometimes and it sucks so bad when it’s doing that. But sooner or later maybe it will just take one day and they will fall in for me and I’ll get hot. But it doesn’t feel as far off as it looks.”

Paul Casey, who shot 67, on his opening drive: “So cool that was. Not an ounce of nerves, a hundred percent excitement, which is really, really cool. Yeah, just really proud, to be honest. I think that’s sort of the coolest thing because I thought about it for so long, to actually — because to me you can’t class yourself an Olympian until you’ve actually started your competition. Especially with the COVID tests going on, to get through every single COVID test, come on, cross the fingers. Yeah, it was just brilliant. And then it’s just down to business.”

Jhonattan Vegas on whether being a 2-time Olympian make this even more special: “It does, I mean it does, especially as golf grows and as golf grows in the Olympics and just to put your name in the history like that it’s always cool, it’s always fun, especially like I said, on an event bigger than golf and yourself, this is what sport is all about. It’s just fun being, putting your name in that.”

Sepp Straka of Austria on when the Olympics got on his radar: “When they had them in Brazil I was watching, I wasn’t close to qualifying back then but I was watching and it was seemed like a cool event and everybody that I knew that went over there and played just raved about it. So I knew at that point that that was going to be on my radar and definitely wanted to play well so I could play my way in.”

Corey Conners of Canada on competing as an Olympian without fans: “Yeah it’s definitely a bit strange with no fans but you still feel the prestige of the event and how special it is. It was cool getting announced on the first tee and really proud and honored to represent Canada and heart was beating a little faster than normal on the first tee, but yeah, it’s a cool experience. It would be a lot better if there was fans out here, but we have had to deal with that a little bit on the (PGA) TOUR.”

Adri Arnaus of Spain on the Olympic experience: “I don’t think it gets much better than being mixed with all the athletes and getting to meet some of the Spanish icons from the sport, it’s been really, really cool and, yeah, it’s been awesome.”

Sebastian Munoz of Colombia on his experience so far: “Really good. A lot of firsts for me. Just humbled, humbled by a lot of different athletes, a lot of different guys. The best athletes in the world are here, it’s fun to be in the village, it’s fun to see them do their thing, talk to them, knowing people, it’s definitely something, so really thankful that I’m here and really excited to pursue this tournament and many others.”

FIND OUT MORE AT IGFGOLF.ORG

Images courtesy of IGF Golf

Much of this success is undoubtedly connected to his 11-year partnership with PGA Professional, Matt Tipper, who spent eight years living and working in Poland as the development of the sport continued to accelerate.

What does @pgapolska Member, @adrianmeronk, competing in the Men’s @OlympicGolf mean to Polish golf, and what pressure might it bring…? Adrian’s PGA Pro Coach, Matt Tipper (@academy_toya) explains more…

Find out more @ https://t.co/bJ49Nklgct #olympicgolf pic.twitter.com/HDupeBwypA

— Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] (@cpg_golf) July 30, 2021

“Adrian was a junior member at Toya Golf and Country Club where I had started working – I saw him hit balls and it was like ‘ok, this kid is good – proper good’,” explains the Brit.

“We started working together – first, we built a programme, then the plan had to be an accelerant to bring him up as he was already 16 or 17 at this time, and then we needed to get him competition. The most important thing for me was that I didn’t screw him up in the process of doing this!

“We had PGA of Poland Board Member, Filip Naglak, who did a great job on the fitness side of things, and then we said ok, he really needs to go to college in America. We called in a few favours and he ended up getting a scholarship to East Tennessee State University. We sent him for his four years of college and I coached him the whole time, mainly online back and forth.”

Meronk is already a widely recognisable face in Polish golf – his continued rise has led to more national coverage and awareness. The Olympics is an even greater springboard for awareness of the sport amongst the general population in Poland.

“All the golfers in Poland are very, very proud of him,” adds Tipper. “He is out there on his own a little at the moment – although Mateusz Gradecki out on the Challenge Tour will no doubt be joining him soon.

“Golf is still very young in Poland but even from the time when I first arrived there to now it has changed dramatically. There are so many more kids playing and the sport is much more accessible than it was. Adrian competing in the Olympics, and then continuing to get better, will only highlight this more.”

When it comes to this week’s Olympic experience, Coach Tipper is confident that Meronk is not just there for show:

“I honestly believe that, on his day, I’d put him up against anyone in the world and I would fancy his chances. Ultimately, we’re going to be excited when we step on the tee on Thursday morning. We prepared well, we’ve got here in plenty of time. He is hitting it great. We cannot do anymore, really. It is up to him now – this is the worst time for me as there is not a lot more I can do!”

Whilst the competition is the number one priority, the opportunity to be part of the Polish Olympic Team, both for player and for coach, has been an experience of its own:

“You know we’ve all watched many Olympics on TV and the one thing that most people say is amazing about the Olympics is the village…and everything they say is absolutely right. So many countries in one place and everyone is working as one…it’s fantastic.

“The gym is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. We went in there once and once is the only time I’ll be going in – there was this guy who must have been squatting 200kg and he looked and me and I just thought ‘ok I need to leave’.

“Adrian had the chance to mix with other athletes a little bit and I did with other coaches as well, and that really makes us feel like a part of the Polish team family. I am lucky to be in an apartment with a couple of judo coaches and a couple of tennis coaches who coach amazing people, so it is great that we can actually sit down and talk about each other’s sports and discuss how and what they do with their athletes.”

Navigating the schedule and COVID-19-related arrangements and measures has made for a unique and challenging experience but equally has allowed the pair to arrive a little earlier than usual and ensure the prep work is done…

“The golf course this week is magnificent – there are no excuses. It is right in front of you. There are no hidden little things the greens are the best greens I’ve seen all year and they are absolutely phenomenal. The green complexes themselves are quite slopey and things like that. So, firing at the flag is not necessarily the best thing to do.

“His desire is to go out there every week and win – but of course if he doesn’t, all we can ask is that we give 100%. Although if he does win, I might have to change my flight on Monday morning…”

But, regardless of the result, Meronk is setting the bar for those from Poland, and the region:

“Adrian is a wonderful ambassador for Eastern European golf – and we are both proud to be here to wear the team colours and wave the flag for Poland.”

FIND OUT MORE AT IGFGOLF.ORG

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Images courtesy of IGF Golf & Matt Tipper

As Switzerland’s only current potential Olympic Qualifier, Fabienne is not getting ahead of herself and is working to play well in the lead up to the qualification cut-off, and is working with Stefan to ensure the distractions and potential pressures around playing at the Olympics do not interfere with her plans and preparations.

Fabienne In-Albon @FabienneInAlbon		Stefan Gort
Country:	Switzerland	Switzerland	:Country
Turned Professional:	2012	Switzerland	:PGA of
Tournament Wins:	0	19	:Years Coaching

PGA PROFESSIONAL COACH: STEFAN GORT

Explain a bit about how you began working with your athlete and when that was.

SG: I started with Fabienne in 1998 when she was part of first the regional squad and then a member of the Golf-Team of the Swiss Sports Gymnasium in Davos.

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What are the key things you are going to work on to prepare your athlete for the Olympic Games?

SG: Physically and technically, there is for me no difference to any other Tournament on the LET. And yes, there are a couple of things one needs to take care of. First is always the question of general weather in that country, than grass types and along with this, the golf course. So at the end it could mean looking at a variety of different shots that the golf course demands…[along with] course management as always.

Much more important is to realise that golf has not been part of the Olympics forever. So everyone will be excited and wants to do well. Everyone will be overwhelmed by the opening ceremony, the Olympic village and so on. We need to know that we can’t fight these impressions and we should not. It will be a great experience for all.

We have to be aware that all these impressions will distract us from normal activities. Knowing that, we are one step further and can deal with them. We will be part of the opening ceremony, then will leave Rio for a week or so to practice away from all the madness and come back for the tournament and deal with it as with any other event.

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Have you changed anything technically or even just operationally with your athlete to help prepare or to aid their qualification hopes?

SG: Not really. Generally speaking, a player should leave for the Olympics well rested and prepared. Knowing there are may new impressions, the Olympic Games drain more energy. Technically we will follow our plan no matter what tournament is coming up. Other than some special shot practice per event if needed.

What advice will you be giving them about competing on a wider global stage than perhaps ever before with an approximate 3.6billion viewers across the world?

SG: We cannot fight thoughts, surroundings or impressions. We have to accept them and deal with them. As I always say: ‘Say welcome to the funny or strange thoughts or impression in your mind, welcome them to your world and make it your friend. Don’t fight the thought; it will only become stronger. The more you accept new situations, the easier it is to accept and to deal with it.’

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How will you stay in touch with your athlete during the Olympic Games?

SG: Depend if I will travel with or not. More likely it will be the caddie and not me as mentor and coach. But that is Fabienne’s own decision.

If I should not be at the Olympics, than WhatsApp, e-mail and Video-Calls will help to talk and solve potential problems.

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What does it mean to you to be working with a potential Olympic qualifier?

SG: For us it’s like writing history. Golf will finally be a part of it. Every player that will qualify has his/her own little piece they can do to contribute and make golf a better game.

Fabienne for now is the only Swiss qualifier on the list and hopefully she will qualify. So no matter what, she will rewrite some part of golf for Switzerland and naturally for her own career. Other than playing great at the Olympics myself, how much better can it get!?

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How do you work with your athlete on a day-to-day basis?

SG: I’ve been her mentor and technical coach for over 14 years on and off, but I am outside the ropes so we do not meet very frequently. We have a great team and everyone knows his/her part very well. We all communicate a lot to serve Fabienne in the best way.

The only thing that counts is to make Fabienne better and to get her closer to her dreams. There is no selfishness in the team or arrogance. Everyone serves for that one purpose. That is awesome!

OLYMPIC ATHLETE: FABIENNE IN-ALBON

What does the prospect of being able to represent your country and make history at the Olympic Games mean to you?

FIA: It would mean a lot to me. The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event in the world and therefore will mean everything to most athletes.

For me it goes back to when I was a young girl.  I was always watching the Olympics (mainly the Winter Olympics) and I always said “One day I will be competing there” of course at that stage I had no idea in what sport, but it was a dream.  And as soon as Golf became an Olympic Sport again it was clear to me that now I want to turn this dream into a goal and then into reality.

So I am very close now but I need to keep focusing on my job and do the best I can each week in order to be able to represent my country in the Olympic Games, as there’s still a long way to go.

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What makes your relationship with your coach a success and a benefit to your game?

FIA: My whole team of coaches is fantastic. I’ve got great people around me, people who all want the same…helping me become a better player.  I think this is our recipe to being successful – that we all have the same goal, we are all on the same page and communication is a big part in our team.  I know I can call any of my coaches at any time and they are always there for me.

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How important have they been in your existing/current development as an athlete?

FIA: They have all been very important. Without my Team I wouldn’t be where I am right now. In my entire career I’ve experienced a lot of up and downs, I had to deal with a lot of injuries, illnesses, etc, but my Team was always there, they’ve been going through tough times with me but they are still here.

I always say ‘it’s easy for a team to work well if you are successful, but it really shows how good a team is when you are going through tough times.’ And we have been through tough times, but we have always managed to stand up again – every single time – and this is only possible if as an athlete you are having such good people around you and by your side.

I am very proud to be working with such experts but also such amazing people who always helped me to stand back up when we had to deal with another setback. Some have been there from the very beginning, some have joined the Team somewhere on the way, but I am very proud to have all those amazing people by my side.

How are they going to help you prepare for the Olympics?

FIA: Of course each coach has his individual area that they need to take care of, so technical, mental, physical side etc. So we are working very hard in all those areas so that I am able to perform at my best.

But at the same time they are also helping me to not put my focus towards the Olympics that much. Yes of course it’s a big event, it’s THE Event, but we have to try and see it as just another tournament, and even though this will not completely work out, my Team is helping me to prepare for it the same way as I would prepare for any other event as well.  I think that approach is very good, because I am not qualified yet and so I have to perform well at all the tournaments coming up meaning I can’t only focus on the Olympics, and I have to perform well beforehand as well.

—————

What are you most looking forward to about potentially competing in the Olympics?

FIA: I mean competing at the Olympics would mean a lot to me – representing your country in such an event is something that you can’t describe. But because I am not qualified yet I am not worrying about things like that.

All I am worrying about now is to perform at my best each week. There will be enough time for me look forward to certain things after I am qualified, but right now the focus is only on my next tournament.

—————

How have you worked/will you work with your coach to prepare for the Games?

FIA: I think we will try and prepare as if it’s just another tournament, so exactly the same as we prepare for any other tournament. Of course the Olympic Games are going to be different but the more equal the preparation the easier it will be for my body to perform at it’s best. My body won’t know if it’s the Olympic Games or if it’s just a practice round, it’s just the mind.

Therefore I think the focus will definitely be on the mental training where we will specifically look at the Olympic Games as just another tournament. And because we all know that this won’t completely work, as it will be something different and something bigger, we will also work on things like accepting that fact that it’s a bigger event, that there will be more things going on around it, etc.

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What impact do you think golf being in the 2016 Olympics will have on the sport?

FIA: Hopefully it will have a positive impact and Golf will be seen more as a sport, because the significance and acceptance of a certain sport is definitely bigger if it’s part of the Olympic Games.

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The Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic PGA Professional Coach Hub is a first-of-its-kind Olympics page (http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros) that aims to and celebrate coaching and shine a light on the PGA Professionals from around the world that are supporting, or have supported, the 120 male and female potential qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

Each Player-PGA Professional section contains details about their relationship, key links to find out more about both the potential Olympic qualifier and their associated PGA Professional, along with interviews and features with many of them.

For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic Coach Rankings visit http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros

Images courtesy of Stefan Gort & Fabienne In-Albon

Keith and Klara meet once a month or more and communicate regularly online to keep up to date with her progress. Their training schedule has been driven by the Olympics with an increase in practice on links-style courses in preparation for the Olympic course in Rio.

Klara Spilkova @spilkovaklara		Keith Williams
Country:	Czech Republic	Wales	:Country
Turned Professional:	2011	Great Britain & Ireland	:PGA of
Tournament Wins:	0	42	:Years Coaching

PGA PROFESSIONAL COACH: KEITH WILLIAMS

Explain a bit about how you began working with your athlete and when that was.

KW: I met Klara as Head Coach for the Czech Golf Federation – Klara joined the training squad at 12 years old in 2007. She was always a very talented played, albeit with a small physique, so optimising her technique was important. Fortunately she was such a determined girl so her attitude was always 100%, which ultimately is why she’s where she is right now!

—————

What are the key things you are going to work on to prepare your athlete for the Olympic Games?

KW: We will just work at what we have planned for the 2016 season – the Olympics is a significant event for golf and one that Klara welcomes as a great privilege to participate in.

We are increasing our practice on some links venues as the Rio course is designed in that style. We have just finished four days training at Saunton Golf Club in Devon, United Kingdom – I will coach & caddy for Klara at Dundonald Links for the Scottish Ladies Open later this year and we will organise one more links visit before Brazil.

—————

Have you changed anything technically or even just operationally with your athlete to help prepare or to aid their qualification hopes?

KW: No not really but we are aware it’s a big year for Klara as in a small country like the Czech Republic the benefits are enormous.

What advice will you be giving them about competing on a wider global stage than perhaps ever before with an approximate 3.6billion viewers across the world?

KW: I always advise players to enjoy the experience.  Have fun…whatever the score it’s a privilege to play at this level!

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How will you stay in touch with your athlete during the Olympic Games?

KW: Originally I was going to travel with Klara and probably caddy for her too, but we have decided her caddy will attend instead.  We will still keep in touch via FaceTime & online coaching systems though.

—————

What does it mean to you to be working with a potential Olympic qualifier?

KW: Wonderful of course…it’s a Major really if not in name, whatever some say!  There’s no guarantee that golf will remain in the Olympics so it’s about enjoying it and taking something from the experience!

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How do you work with your athlete on a day-to-day basis?

KW: We have a 12-month programme.  As Klara has moved up the rankings it’s been more difficult in some ways – the pressure to improve technically and skills-wise have increased and Klara wants to be a LET winner, Solheim Cup player and LPGA player.

We have identified her strengths & weaknesses pretty well and have filled many of the gaps.  There is still plenty to do but we meet up once a month or more and always communicate via online options.

OLYMPIC ATHLETE: KLARA SPILKOVA

What does the prospect of being able to represent your country and make history at the Olympic Games mean to you?

KS: Well it’s great…I’ve played for my country since I was 12 years old as an amateur golfer, but playing as a professional and at the very top level is an ambition I really enjoy.

What makes your relationship with your coach a success and a benefit to your game? 

KS: I have been coached by Keith since I joined the Czech Golf Federation National Squad system and have always appreciated his ability to coach talented players at the highest level.

His communication is great but for me he is always that one step ahead; he sees what I need to focus & work on clearly and sets me on path of progress and development.

I know I have a coach who’s worked with Major winners, Ryder Cup players and with two national Federations, which helps build my own self-belief and confidence. If he tells me I can do it then I know I can and that he means it!

—————

How important have they been in your existing/current development as an athlete?

KS: He always keeps me moving forward…I’m naturally very ambitious and have high personal expectations. Keith matches those and goes beyond. I know if I have questions he can answer them.

—————

How are they going to help you prepare for the Olympics?

KS: Yes we have it all planned so I will play my schedule on the Ladies European Tour, add some special training dates with Keith, and work intelligently with my physical and mental coaches.

—————

What are you most looking forward to about potentially competing in the Olympics?

KS: Just to be a part of the largest sporting event in the World, staged once every four years, wearing your national colours in the first golf tournament staged in modern times at the Olympics is…as they say in the UK… a ‘no brainier’!”

How have you worked/will you work with your coach to prepare for the Games?

KS: Extra Links golf & adding/improving some skills related to links play.

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What impact do you think golf being in the 2016 Olympics will have on the sport?

KS: Hopefully it will help grow the game in the Czech Republic. We are crazy about sport and to have golf involved is fantastic for the Czech Golf Federation and the golf industry in the country.

—————

How important is it to you that your coach is a PGA Professional?

KS: We have an active PGA in the Czech Republic and they deliver a good programme. Keith is a true PGA coach…He’s achieved so many things in all areas of the game in the UK – it’s like having a guarantee or standard of quality. That works for me!!

———————————————————————————————

The Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic PGA Professional Coach Hub is a first-of-its-kind Olympics page (http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros) that aims to and celebrate coaching and shine a light on the PGA Professionals from around the world that are supporting, or have supported, the 120 male and female potential qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

Each Player-PGA Professional section contains details about their relationship, key links to find out more about both the potential Olympic qualifier and their associated PGA Professional, along with interviews and features with many of them.

For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic Coach Rankings visit http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros

Images courtesy of Keith Williams and Ladies European Tour/Tristan Jones

The 28-year-old from Seoul recorded her third sublime 66 at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro to win the first women’s competition since 1900 by five shots from New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and by six from Shanshan Feng of China. Park finished on a 16-under-par total of 268 with scores of 66-66-70-66.

Park turned the final day in front of a sell-out crowd into a stunning exhibition of brilliantly controlled golf, extending her lead from two strokes overnight into a commanding five-shot victory over world No.1 Ko, who rolled in a seven-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole for a 69 and 273 total to claim the silver medal. Feng matched Ko’s closing score to take the bronze on 274.

Just for good measure, Russia’s Maria Verchenova smashed the course record by firing a nine-under-par 62, assisted by a hole-in-one at the fourth, to climb 25 places into a tie for 18th at the conclusion of a highly successful return to the Olympic Games for women’s golf.

As a result of today’s outcome, it means that all six medals awarded in the two golf competitions have been distributed among six different nations – Korea, New Zealand and China in the women’s competition and Great Britain (Justin Rose), Sweden (Henrik Stenson) and the United States (Matt Kuchar) in last week’s men’s contest.

The new Olympic champion hugged her equally emotional three Korean team-mates after holing out for a regulation par five at the 18th hole and said: “This is definitely one of the special moments in my golfing career and in my whole life.  It feels great.  Obviously representing your country and winning the gold is so special.  It’s just really all I’ve wanted.”

Park’s triumph was all the more extraordinary for the fact that she has only played once competitively since June, the result of an on-going problem with her left thumb which curtailed her 2016 appearances to just 10 starts on the LPGA Tour.

However, with seven majors in her locker, there was no disputing her supreme talent, and Park delivered a masterclass in precision golf, accruing seven birdies – offset by two back-nine bogeys – in holding the opposition at arm’s length all day.

She added: “This is something I’ve really been dreaming of coming into the week. There were so many Korean people out here supporting me and it almost felt like we were in Korea.  Seeing how much support I had this week, I’m just happy that I finished well. This is definitely a big relief.”

Kiwi Ko, still only a teenager and surely set to compete in Tokyo in four years’ time, fought hard to close the gap on the Korean, but ultimately Park’s advantage was seldom under threat.

She commented: “I didn’t have a great start, but I just tried to hang in there.  I can’t believe I’m holding a medal on the podium – it’s what I’ve been dreaming about since 2009.  To actually be there beside Inbee and Shanshan, is a dream come true. This has been just an amazing week.”

Ko knew that she had to get up and down from greenside to avoid a play-off for silver and bronze with Feng, and did so brilliantly. She laughed: “My celebration was as if I won the gold! It’s pretty cool.”

Quotes of the Day – Round 4

Inbee Park 268 (66, 66, 70, 66) On how she rates becoming Olympic champion:  “I think definitely at the top because you know, this is something I’ve never done before.  I’ve won majors, but I haven’t won a gold medal, so this feels definitely very, very special and nothing I want to change.  It’s a special week and special feeling, and I’m so honoured to represent my country.  Being able to receive the gold medal on the golf course was an unforgettable moment.”

Lydia Ko 273 (69, 70, 65, 69): Lydia Ko On other New Zealand athletes coming out to support her Sunday:  “That was one of the greatest things that I was really excited about this week was that I was able to meet other New Zealand athletes and see some that I had met before like Eric (Murray, gold medal rower).  We’ve done a sponsor thing before.  And to see him out here and come out and support me, I think has been amazing.  That’s been one of the greatest memories of this week is to see the other New Zealand athletes, see the New Zealand flag out there and them waving and shouting and supporting.  It’s been amazing.”

Shanshan Feng 274 (70, 67, 68, 69): “Well, of course, China is a very strong country in the Olympics, and we’ve made so many gold, silver, bronze medals.  So my bronze medal maybe doesn’t mean that much for the whole number, but to myself it means a lot, because this is golf back in the Olympics after over a hundred years, and I believe it’s the first time that a Chinese athlete is competing in this event.”

Charley Hull 276 (68, 66, 74, 68): “My first Olympics was a fantastic experience and I got a good buzz off it. I thought it was great. I felt happy with my performance but it’s a shame I couldn’t come away with a medal.”

Gerina Piller 278 (69, 67, 68, 74): “The crowds were awesome today. I didn’t know what to expect. There are a lot of people that come to the Olympics that don’t really know much about golf.  It was pretty impressive that all the people came out.”

Maria Verchenova 280 (75, 70, 73, 62): “I think the whole thing is just me being here and playing here, it means a lot, because that’s going to push Russian golf forward, and that’s what we need, because Russian golf is kind of steady now; it needs to be pushed forward.”

Lexi Thompson 281 (68, 71, 76, 66): “I’ve had more messages and more texts from people that don’t really watch golf.  My parents have gotten messages from people that they haven’t heard from in years, and they are watching golf just because it’s part of the Olympics. I hope this made a mark for us, and hopefully, we’ll be in the Olympics for years to come.”

Leona Maguire  282 (74, 65, 74, 69): “It’s been a fantastic week.  Obviously going to some of the sport events at the start of the week was great.  Got to see Michael Phelps’ last race and then being able to be in the first group here is something I’ll never forget on the first morning. And obviously this has been streamed all around the world, so I think it’s great for ladies golf in general.”

Aditi Ashok 291 (68, 68, 79, 76): “My Facebook page and Twitter has been going off quite a lot.  I’m happy that a lot of people who didn’t really watch golf are watching golf now (in India).  It’s only going to get better from here.”

Miriam Nagl 298 (79, 77, 72, 70): “I think it’s obviously making a huge difference that the Brazilians are coming out and supporting as much as they did this week and last week. I hope it’s going to make a difference. I think it’s a big step to make it big in Brazil.”

Victoria Lovelady 300 (79, 75, 76, 70): “The whole experience was amazing – arriving here, going to the Village, going to the Opening Ceremony, seeing my dad in the Opening Ceremony by coincidence, crying with him, singing the anthem, walking through the village with all the athletes, seeing Bolt, taking a selfie with Bolt, seeing Nadal. Everything was amazing.”

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Standing in her way is the indomitable figure of the Republic of Korea’s Inbee Park, the most decorated major champion in the field, who held firm in blustery conditions to move two strokes clear in the race to capture the first women’s Olympic gold since 1900.

With the prospect of the winds increasing in intensity – and the possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon – the final round will now be played off the first and tenth tees at 07.00 with the leaders teeing off at 08.44 in order to avoid disruption to a potentially thrilling climax.

Meanwhile Ko, the 19-year-old New Zealander who has taken the golfing world by storm in three trophy-laden years as a professional, defied gusty, swirling winds at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course to blaze a trail through the elite women’s field and into serious medal contention.

At the end of a challenging day, which witnessed several changes at the top of a powerful leaderboard, Ko found herself in a tie for second place after a third round of 65 which featured a dazzling outward nine holes of 29 – and the thrill of that ace from 140 yards.

Park, a seven-time major winner, added a third round 70 for a total of 202 to double her overnight lead to two shots while Ko’s 54-hole total of 204, nine under par, send her hurtling from 21st to second place alongside Gerina Piller. The American dropped a shot at the 18th but managed to sign for a three-under-par 68 and total of 204 while China’s Shanshan Feng matched that 68 to close in on the leading pack on 205.

The capricious nature of the afternoon gusts damaged a number of medal prospects, with Piller’s compatriot, Stacy Lewis, shooting a 76 to slip back from second place into a tie for eighth. Brooke Henderson of Canada, who won the Women’s PGA Championship earlier this season, was only one shot better while Charley Hull’s attempt to emulate Justin Rose’s men’s gold medal for Great Britain also suffered a setback as she took 74.

The timing of Ko’s first hole-in-one could not be more propitious, with the women’s Olympic competition reaching a thrilling climax. The two Olympic events have now witnessed four aces, with two in the men’s contest and two in one day for the women, with Ko matching the feat of China’s Xi Yu Lin earlier in the same day.

The Kiwi said: “This is the first one in a practice round and tournaments, all included.  I almost didn’t know how to react, because it is your first one, and the wind is blowing and I haven’t had the best of luck when it comes to hole‑in‑ones.  I would have loved to like done a dance or jumped up‑and‑down, but in that situation, I think I was almost trying to cry, and then realised I had 11 more holes to play.

“It’s really cool.  It just puts the cherry on top.  This week is about having fun and this experience, being an Olympian and competing in the Olympics, and to have my first hole-in-one, is something that I’ll never forget.”

The medal chase promises to be exciting with Park, Ko and Piller at the head of affairs, and the experienced Korean admitted: It was very challenging (in the) conditions.  I feel like I really struggled out there.  My putting was really, really good today, six birdies out in those conditions is phenomenal. I’m very happy with where I’m positioned right now. “

In spite of the uncertainty over her fitness due to a long-term thumb injury, Park has belief in her ability to strike gold. She added: “Somewhere in my heart, after I made the decision to play this week, I really believed in myself that I can do it.  If I didn’t have a trust in myself, I wouldn’t be playing this week.”

Feng, who moved into podium contention, confirmed that the wind had caused considerable difficulties. She explained: “The wind stayed in the same direction but it was kind of gusty at some points.  It was hard out there, because even for me – and I’m not a short hitter – I used 3‑wood into the greens on three par 4s, and that’s not very normal.  It was really tough.  You just need to stay patient the whole day, and I think I did.”

Hull still believes she is playing well enough to win. She said: “I scrambled quite well. I’m happy with the position that I’m in.  And I’m only in tied fifth position and that’s nothing going into tomorrow. Anything can happen on a Sunday in a major – or in this case, the Olympics.”

Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, the most recent major champion in women’s golf, was forced to retire after 13 holes due to a knee injury.

Quotes of the Day – Round 3

Inbee Park 202 (66, 66, 70): “I think having big names on the leaderboard can make everything a lot more exciting and that can help women’s golf grow a lot bigger. I’m very happy what we are showing in the Olympic golf right now.  It’s really exciting for everyone.  Really exciting for me.  Really exciting for all the other players that are competing.  Exciting for all the people who are watching.  Yeah, it’s a great scenario.”

Lydia Ko 204 (69, 70, 65): “This week has been great.  Even without considering today, I think just this experience, being here, representing New Zealand, seeing some of the other athletes from New Zealand, I think that is an inspiration, and I think that’s what the Olympics is about. Obviously the results and the medals are great, but at the end of the day, it’s about the world’s best athletes together and having a great time and at the end, having to compete to stand on the podium.”

Gerina Piller 204 (69, 67, 68): “I would say it’s one of the biggest (rounds of her life), yes.  Playing the Solheim Cup is definitely dear to my heart and trying to win that for the country.  But I’ve never played in the final round of an Olympics before competing for a medal.  It’s going to be pretty special.  I’m going to soak it in all in, take it all in, and no matter what the outcome, I’m proud to be American.”

Shanshan Feng 205 (70, 67. 68): “Back in China, normally we are only on golf channels, but this time people can see us on any (television) channels.  I think that’s a great chance to let the Chinese know how good the Chinese players are, and hopefully they can just fall in love with the sport and join this sport.”

Paula Reto 209 (74, 67, 68): “It (Olympic Games) feels awesome.  It’s almost like you’ve got something above some people.  Just the experience, it’s something you can’t buy.  It’s something you have to earn. We love the golf course.  It’s great.  For us to play for the first time in a competition since it’s been built – that’s awesome.”

Ariya Jutanugarn (WD due to knee injury): “Yeah, very disappointed, because it’s the Olympics, and I told my caddie that I want to finish like four days.  I don’t care how many over I’m going to be, but I’m thinking about my career.”

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The much-decorated American takes everything in her stride, even preparing for a visit to the Olympic diving event soon after compiling the eight-under-par round which propelled her into the medal positions on 133, nine under par, just one off the pace set by Inbee Park of Korea.

However, watching the talented divers may act as a springboard to success on Saturday afternoon, when Lewis attempts to follow in the footsteps of her compatriot, Margaret Abbot, who won for the United States in Paris way back in 1900.

First, though, the new Mrs. Chadwell faces the challenge of overhauling Park, who continued her impressive recovery from a thumb injury by matching her opening 66 for a 36-hole total of 132.

Lewis carved out 11 birdies during a brilliant performance on the Olympic course, lowering Park’s course record from Wednesday by two shots. Even a bogey and a double-bogey at the 14th failed to halt her inexorable progress up a cosmopolitan leaderboard.

On the contrary, the 31-year-old recovered from that bogey blow on the 14th by closing with four straight birdies to match the 63 shot by Marcus Fraser in the men’s competition exactly one week earlier.

“I guess I have a course record here, and it’s great to put my name on that, and being near the top of the leaderboard at the Olympics,” said Lewis. “It’s something that, I think, every kid is going to dream of doing.”

She added: “It’s been such a cool week so far, and the highlight for me was just getting to see the guys up there on the podium on 18 on Sunday getting their medals and just thinking about how cool that would be to be in their shoes and be doing that on Saturday.  It’s definitely a motivating factor but I’ve had a great week and we’re enjoying it so far.”

Park, the seven-time major winner, admitted that she arrived in Rio more in hope than expectation after a lengthy lay-off due to the on-going thumb injury. However, the Korean has plotted a steady course for two days and said: “I was able to convert the birdies today.  I missed a couple of tee shots, so I was in the sand area, but I was able to convert them into birdies. That’s really the key for today’s round.”

The leaderboard reflects the global nature of the competition, with a league of nations contending inside the top ten of an exciting women’s event. Hard on the heels of Park and Lewis are Canadian Brooke Henderson and Charley Hull, bidding to follow the gold medal performance of her fellow Briton, Justin Rose, last Sunday. Henderson also went low wth a 64 while Hull tagged a 66 onto her initial 68 for an eight-under-par total of 134.

Right behind the leaders are three players on seven under par, Marianne Skarpnord of Norway, Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen and Candie Kung of Chinese Taipei while the youngest player in the field, 18-year-old Aditi Ashok carries the hopes of India at six-under-par.

Quotes of the Day – Round 2

Inbee Park 132 (66, 66): “I think first coming here, I didn’t really know whether I was going to play this week or not due to the injury.  Obviously didn’t expect much of a result.  It was more of whether I can play or not.  A good result is a great gift.”

Stacy Lewis 133 (70, 63): “I was excited from the get‑go with the announcement of the Olympics.  There are probably a lot of reasons why we shouldn’t have come and shouldn’t have done this, whether it was Zika or other issues. I just did my homework and nobody gave me a good reason why I shouldn’t come.  You’d have to ‑ I mean, there’d have to be something seriously wrong with me to not come play in the Olympics.  This has been so cool.  Just a different feel about it.”

Brooke Henderson (134) 70, 64:  I feel Britt (sister and caddie) and I came up with a really good strategy for this course over the last week or so, along with Team Canada.  I think so far, it’s been pretty good.  But like I say, there’s still lots of golf left and hopefully I’ll just continue to play smart but take advantage when I can.

Charley Hull 134 (68, 66): “I don’t really look at what I do.  I just kind of get off the golf course and go to the gym.  I don’t really analyse where I am.  I just kind of think, oh, yeah, I played decent, another round tomorrow.”

Marianne Skarpnord, 135 (69, 66): “When I first came there (Team Norway house), I was thinking, God, this is like going to camp or something, border school or whatever.  The food isn’t great.  The beds aren’t great.  The apartment isn’t great.  But the atmosphere and the experience is better and a lot more than I would ever think that it would be.  I’m loving it.  I think it’s really cool.”

Nicole Broch Larsen 135 (67, 68): “It’s cool (Olympic Village).  It’s nice to be surrounded by athletes.  I think we have a good atmosphere in the Danish, yeah, all the Danish people together.  Everybody is cheering for each other.  It’s really cool getting back there yesterday and a lot of people is like, good luck, and well played.  It’s just nice to get their support, as well.”

Aditi Ashok 136 (68, 68): “I think golf every day is different.  You never hit the same shot twice.  So every day is a new experience, and you can’t really come with any expectations.  The game is bigger than all of us, so that’s what I like about it.  Every day, you have a new experience.”

Gerina Piller 136 (69, 67): “Yeah, that would be pretty cool to have a (USA) podium sweep.  It’s definitely been talked about amongst us.  But again, there’s a lot of golf to be played and you can’t put the cart before the horse.  For me, I just want to focus on playing consistent golf and hitting good shots and making putts.”

Minjee Lee 136 (69, 67): “I think when you’re on the golf course, you don’t really think about it.  But when you’re obviously not on the golf course, you’re like, oh, you just sort of realize how big of an event it is and not just for yourself, because you’re representing your country and for women’s golf and all that.  So I think it’s pretty cool just to be here.  I think it’s amazing.  More amazing as it goes.”

Lydia Ko 139 (69, 70): “I think she (Charley Hull) realises how big of a deal it is, and especially with Justin Rose winning the gold medal, I know she would love to putt a contribution to GB. I think it’s just her personality that she’s just cool, outgoing, trying to play some great golf, and no matter what tournament that you’re playing, I think that’s a confidence factor; that either you’re in perfect positions or not, you’re still going out there focusing on that shot in front of me and not worrying about everything that’s gone around you.”

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The talented 20-year-old burst from the pack on a crowded leaderboard to set the standard on the Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro, on a day when women’s Olympic golf made a triumphant return after a 116-year absence.

Victory and a gold medal this week would set the seal on a phenomenal year for Jutanugarn, who reeled off three wins in consecutive starts on the LPGA Tour before landing a first major championship for Thailand in the British Women’s Open just two weeks ago. Olympic glory would be a fifth win – appropriately in view of the association with the five Olympic Rings.

“I think I’m going to be really excited, because I like to represent Thailand,” said Jutanugarn. We want to be the best and have the gold medal for Thailand. I think it’s going to be great if I have it.”

Jutanugarn collected seven birdies and an eagle, offset by a double-bogey and bogey, in lowering the best score over the new Gil Hanse and Amy Alcott-designed Olympic course which stood at 66 for just two hours courtesy of South Korea’s Inbee Park.

Park, one of four South Korean players in the 60-strong field, emerged with great credit from her competitive return in a season curtailed by a ligament problem in her left thumb by carding a five-under-par 66, the same mark as her Korean teammate, Sei Young Kim.

Three players, Nicole Broch Larsson of Denmark, Candie Kung of Chinese Taipei and Carlota Ciganda of Spain, forced their way into contention on 67, four-under-par, with a quarter of golfers on 68, including Great Britain’s Charley Hull, who is seeking to emulate Justin Rose’s gold medal performance in the men’s competition.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand did her cause no harm by holing her nine iron second shot from 136 yards for an eagle two on the 15th, a stunning shot which helped her into a tie for 11th place on 69.

Ko, who at 19 already has two majors to her name, said: “It was my first eagle at the Olympics, so I think it’s great.  At the men’s last week, I think there were two hole‑in‑ones and a few eagles, and I put my contribution to golf by making an eagle, I think is a really good feeling, and especially since I was even par at that point in my round. So to go from zero to two‑under-par was a great turnaround.”

Park, who has been resting in preparation for the Olympics for the majority of the past two months, completed an error-free card and laughed: “Bogey free – it’s been a while!  It feels great.  It wasn’t too windy out there this morning, so I had a lot of birdie opportunities.  I had a really good ball‑striking day and I’m very satisfied with today’s round.

“My injury felt pretty good and everything felt like I was quite ready.  I’m very happy to see the results like today.  It’s a good confidence boost. I felt quite nervous this morning, teeing off, and being able to overcome that kind of nerves feels great.”

Quotes of the Day – Round 1

Ariya Jutanugarn 65 (-6): “I like (the Village) a lot. Before I came here I had no idea what it’s going to be like.  When I got into the Village, I liked it. I love it a lot.  I’m a roommate with the badminton players from Thailand and I have had a chance to watch them play a few matches. Pretty good.”

Inbee Park 66 (-5): “I think that this (the Olympic Games) could be the highlight of my career.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity. I’ve won a lot of the major championships but, obviously, in the Olympic Games, you get to only do it once every four years, so being able to be standing here representing South Korea is something very special and very meant to be.  (I am) so very happy to be here.  It’s a huge honour, and like I said, it could be the highlight of my golfing career.”

Nicole Broch Larsson 67 (-4):  “It was fun out there.  I didn’t really think about it as the Olympics.  It was another round of golf and I tried to focus on my own things. It was different waking up in the Olympic Village instead of in a single room at another hotel.  It’s just been a really cool experience so far and I’m really enjoying my time down here. I’ve got my brother and my dad here, and we have a few others from the Danish Golf Union. It’s really nice to get support.”

Candie Kung 67 (-4):  “I actually went to Vegas for a wedding before I came here, so I didn’t get here till Monday afternoon. It was one of my best friends from high school.  She planned it around me.  She thought I had three weeks off.  She forgot there’s the Olympics! When I got to the course, it was blowing so hard I couldn’t even walk it.”

Carlota Ciganda 67 (-4): “Watching Rafa (Nadal) is the best.  He’s my hero.  When you watch that guy playing tennis – the way he runs, the way he fights, it’s just another planet.  You can see he’s not playing great, but he still wins.  And when he’s under pressure, he plays even better.  I had breakfast with him, and without competing 2 ½ months, he won the (doubles) Gold Medal and finished fourth (in singles).  We’ve played twice.  He loves golf. I think he’s one of the best athletes in Spanish history.”

Aditi Ashok 68 (-3): “I’ve played the Youth Olympics, as well. I’ve kind of had that experience of playing that and it made me want to play in the Olympics as well.  This is my rookie year. Getting the experience and playing for India and trying to win a medal for my country doesn’t get better than that. It would be huge for women’s golf in India, because we don’t have that many girls playing and this will definitely boost the popularity of the game in India and that’s what we need.  So I hope I can do that.”

Lexi Thompson 68 (-3): “The nerves were there, that’s for sure.  It is a whole different feeling, just stepping on that tee, saying that you’re an Olympian golfer.  There’s nothing like that.  It was an adrenaline rush.  Hopefully we’ll get more and more people out on that first tee as the days go by, but it was an amazing feeling to have.”

Gerina Piller 69 (-2):  When golf came back in the Olympics, I thought, it’s like, wow, here is my chance to go to the Olympics, and never thought I would be standing here giving an interview about being in the Olympics.  It’s just a dream come true. “

Stacy Lewis 70 (-1): “You can’t even compare this to a major.  You have majors, you have LPGA events.  You can’t even compare it to the Solheim Cup.  It’s different.  It’s the Olympics.  It has a different feel about it.  I don’t even know what to compare it to.  I think it’s a good thing that it’s different.  It doesn’t need to be compared with a major or any of that stuff.  It’s its own deal, and you know, we are 60 players here, are forever Olympians, and that’s cool.”

Leona Maguire (Ireland) 74 (+3): Talking about following the men: ““I think for me, the best players in the world are here – that’s their job.  That’s not my job this week.  I’m just out there to have as much fun as I can and do as well as I can, and that’s up to Lydia and Brooke and Ariya and those girls to show that they are the best players in the world.  For me, it’s just a bonus being here.”

Miriam Nagl (Brazil) 79 (+8): Talking about hitting the first Olympic women’s tee shot in 116 years: “It was nerve‑wracking, to be honest.  I was very nervous, but what an honour that I could be hitting this shot.  It means so much to me – being in my home country and golf being back in the Olympic Games, and (the fact that) I have a little daughter now. It was just very special to me.”

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After all, The Open began life just a few miles further down the coast in Prestwick in 1860, and Ayrshire had also witnessed the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ at Turnberry, when Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus battled each other for the 1977 Claret Jug like two steely-eyed gunfighters from the Wild West.

Step forward Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon on July 17, 2016. On an epic day, on the grandest of stages, the pair produced a head-to-head contest which was at least the equal of the Watson-Nicklaus shoot-out 39 years earlier. Stenson, the ‘nearly’ man of major golf, finally lost that unwelcome tag with a majestic closing round of 63. Mickelson shot a bogey-free 65 and lost by three.

Watson and Nicklaus were in agreement – this head-to-head battle surpassed their own blockbuster from 1977. “This was better,” insisted Watson. “Just look at the facts. It was a shoot-out right from the start – great shot after great shot – and one for the ages.”

Stenson, a natural left-hander who learned the game right-handed, was a scratch amateur by the age of 18 and cut his teeth on the European Challenge Tour with considerable success before landing his first European Tour title in 2001. When he sank the winning putt to help Europe retain The Ryder Cup in 2006, his ascent to the upper echelons of the game seemed assured.

It was not to be. The Swede suffered an inexplicable decline, sliding from fourth – in 2009, when he won the prestigious Players Championship on the PGA Tour – to 230th on the World Ranking in 2012. Stenson was clearly in urgent need of some TLC and found a willing confidant in one of the world’s leading coaches, Dubai-based Pete Cowen.

The pair struck up an immediate rapport and set about healing Stenson’s ailing game. The signs that the patient was responding to treatment were soon apparent, to the extent that in 2013 he became the first player to win the FedEx Cup in the USA and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai in the same season.

That same year, he flirted with major success, finishing runner-up behind Mickelson in The Open at Muirfield before taking third place in the US PGA Championship. In 2014, he tied for third in the US Open and fourth in the US PGA. He was getting closer. The restorative powers of Cowen’s coaching medicine were taking effect.

Finally, in 2016, the demons were exorcised. Stenson was imperious over the weekend at Royal Troon, becoming the first Swedish male golfer to savour major championship glory. Two weeks later, Stenson was a serious challenger for the US PGA Championship, and battling for the final day lead, before slipping back to finish tied seventh behind Jimmy Walker of the U.S.

The next step for the Swede was his shot at Olympic Gold in Rio de Janeiro and whilst he didn’t achieve the top spot on the podium, he got closer than any of the chasers finishing with a silver medal.

As Watson pronounced, it was one for the ages. High Noon at Troon. It might never be bettered.

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The Founder of the modern Olympic Games would surely have approved of Tiffany Chan, Leona Maguire and Albane Valenzuela competing in the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 (and the first women’s event since 1900).

As the only three amateur golfers among the 120 entrants (60 men and 60 women) taking part at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro, the trio have not yet earned one pound, euro or dollar from the sport.

That may change in the future as professional golf beckons, but for now Chan, from Hong Kong, Ireland’s Maguire and Swiss miss Valenzuela have been playing for pride and honour.

That is not to underestimate their abilities. All three boast impressive credentials at amateur level, and all of them have performed with distinction in the professional events which enabled them to gather enough points to finish inside the top 60 on the Olympic Golf Rankings.

Chan has already won the Future Open, an LPGA of Taiwan event in 2015 – a victory which help plot her course towards Rio – and her qualification was described by the President of the Hong Kong Golf Association as: “the greatest day in Hong Kong golfing history”. High praise indeed for the 22-year-old.

Maguire, 21, carried the prestige of being the world’s No.1 women’s amateur player for a full year between May 2015 and May 2016 while Valenzuela, at just 18 years of age, made the cut in two majors, the ANA Inspiration and US Women’s Open this year to hurtle towards Olympic glory.

Both Maguire and Valenzuela will enjoy parental and sibling assistance when the women’s event tees off on August 17. Leona, who is 15 minutes younger than her twin, Lisa, will have her sister on caddie duty, a role she performed in the recent RICOH British Women’s Open, where Leona tied for 25th at Woburn in England.

Valenzuela’s father, Alberto, will also be caddying for his teenage daughter, having also fulfilled that role on a number of occasions as Albane has taken a stratospheric route towards the upper echelons of the women’s amateur game.

“It’s a dream come true, and I aim to enjoy every single moment,” said Maguire. “And to have my sister as caddie, and being able to share the experience with her, is extra special. We are both staying in the Olympic Village and it will be reassuring to have Lisa there, with mum and dad staying at home to watch on TV.”

Valenzuela, the offspring of two talented golfers, has no issue with Alberto carrying the golf bag, although mum, Diane, and her brothers, will be watching from outside the ropes.

She said “My dad was a very good international amateur golfer and it’s great to have him by my side. He’s caddied for me many times before. It works really well. He knows my personality and it’s been a good partnership.”

Chan will have her parents and sister, Cathy, among the spectators at Reserva de Marapendi, and she is reveling in the opportunity to represent her country, where the reaction to her selection has been “exceptional”.

She said “The media reaction has been overwhelming and really positive. Now I am looking forward to going to Rio and meeting world class athletes from all over the world in the Olympic Village, playing against the top female golfers in the game but, above all, representing Hong Kong as an Olympian, which is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Consorting with other athletes from a variety of sports also appeals to Valenzuela, who is disappointed that two famous Swiss, tennis players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, have pulled out of the Games due to injury.

“I am staying in the Village and looking forward to the overall experience,” she added. “I am attending the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and I hope to walk around the Village and maybe bump into Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps – among the best athletes in the world. It should be amazing. I wouldn’t miss the ceremonies for the world as I may never do anything like it again.”

Due to other commitments, Maguire and Chan will only manage to attend the Closing Ceremony, which falls 24 hours after the first women’s gold, silver and bronze women’s medals for 116 years are decided.

Maguire added: “I am looking forward to the Closing Ceremony, but also I want to seeing some other sports. At a normal tournament, that is not an option. It would be unbelievable to go and watch an Irish athlete win a medal. I remember at London 2012, it seemed like the whole of Ireland stopped to watch Katie Taylor win gold in the boxing. It was phenomenal.”

The Irish woman from Co. Cavan admitted that the Olympics “were not even on my radar” until she was made aware that amateur golfers could qualify. As world No.1, she received invitations to professional events and gradually moved up into the top 60 on the Olympic Rankings.

She also received huge encouragement from Ireland’s Team Leader, the winning 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley. She said: “Paul’s been great. Really supportive. He got in touch to encourage me to try to get into as many pro events as possible and to try to qualify. He’s always sending me texts asking how things are going and he sent photos of the Olympic course after his visit to Rio. He is definitely going to help Stephanie Meadow and me to prepare in the best way possible.”

All three women have a bright future ahead of them. Who knows? The amateur may yet have the measure of the professional when their competition reaches a climax on August 20. Citius, Altius, Fortius indeed!

For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic Coach Rankings visit http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros

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Images courtesy of Ladies European Tour/Tristan Jones

Born Victoria Alimonda in the vibrant 2016 Olympic city, she now carries the surname of her American husband. She sparkles with vitality and good humour, and apart from being a talented professional golfer, she is a mean guitarist and singer who even penned her own Olympic song a few months ago.

Lovelady is one of two Brazilian women golfers who will tee up at Reserva de Marependi Golf Course on August 17 (the other in Miriam Nagl), and she admits that excitement over Rio2016 is now reaching fever pitch in the city where she grew up.

And she is certain that the Brazilian culture will win over the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Rio and the billions glued to their television sets. It’s in the DNA of the Cariocas.

“Yes, definitely,” she asserts. “If we Brazilians know anything, it is how to host sports events and to party. It’s in our blood. People coming to Brazil discover there is a always a little surprise factor. I tell everyone that Brazilians know how to have a good time. In a crisis, we like to have a party!”

Lovelady just squeezed into the Olympic field, after missing out on automatic qualification. However, when some National Olympic Committees opted not to put forward their golfers to attend the Olympic Games, her name was restored to the top 60.

Although now resident in Sao Paulo, her family has enjoyed close connections with Rio. She said: “My great grandfather was one of the founding members of Itanhanga Golf Club and my dad got me started in golf when I was 12. I always followed him in trying sports, so I said I wanted to try golf, too.

“Golf has brought a lot into my life. In the beginning I was able to win events locally and I loved the competition. I went to the United States to play high school golf and told my parents I wanted to stay there. I was living with my godmother in California when I earned a scholarship to play for University of Southern California (USC) and we won the national championships when I studied there. Once I saw the possibilities in golf in the U.S. I knew that is what I wanted to do.”

Lovelady believes Rio is ready for its grand opening, despite some obstacles along the way. She added: “I was back in Rio almost a month ago and there is a sense of excitement. I have seen the contructions finish and the media is giving the Games more attention, people are getting excited and talking about getting their tickets. The city is going to be ready.”

She certainly believes the golf course is ready to host a remarkable party of its own, irrespective of the happenings on Copacabana, Ipanema and the Maracana. Lovelady took part in the official Test Event alongside eight other Brazilian male and female golfers in March, and revelled in the experience.

“The course really surprised me. I was very impressed” she insists. “I knew we had problems in the beginning with the legislation so I didn’t know what to expect. However I did know that the course was in good hands with Gil Hanse, who is such a great designer. It was an amazing experience to play it.

“I actually walked the course last November when it was inaugurated by the City with the Mayor. I think it’s very challenging – the angles of the greens, the tee shots and especially the landing areas because there is no rough, just former waste land which is now an environmentally protected area.”

She added: “The greens are small and undulating and I knew it was going to be so tough. I think the quality of grass they used is perfect. The way the ball responded on the greens and fairways, the grass just tees up the ball and it’s a great feeling to hit off that surface. I was excited over every shot I hit.

“With the greens and the angles, the course is really fair and rewards your good shots. I thought, with the course being new, I wouldn’t have that type of response but it was great. It was harmonious, it was challenging. You had to think of landing areas and there are holes that encourage you to attack.”

Lovelady pinpointed two holes in particular which caught her eye, the par four 13th and 16th. She continued:  “The 13th is a dog-leg right where you can cut through the trees on the right but not too much. I did that and lost my ball. I was two under at that stage  in the Test Event. The other is 16th, a short par four and the long hitters can go for the green but the chip afterwards can be challenging. It was awesome. I really enjoyed it.

“I would say No.13 is probably the signature hole because the green is really challenging. It’s not an easy approach and the green is so undulating. I also liked the par three fourth. It’s a cool hole.”

Lovelady is praying that as many people as possible come to watch the Olympic golf competitions in person, as well as follow the action on TV. And in the future, she fervently hopes that Rio de Janeiro will have a public golf course to attract a new generation of golfer.

She said: “One of the great things is that someone who is curious to grab a club and a golf ball is going to have access to this. It is a huge first step. The surrounding areas of the course is residential, with high rise buildings. I feel if I was a kid living in one of those buildings and I looked down from on high and saw a golf course that I could go and have access to, I would be really excited. I would be saying; hey mom, hey dad, I want to try that.

“In Brazil we are really good in sport. I often see first swings from beginners that are pretty impressive. I really hope they do golf programmes with local high schools to bring the kids into the game for the first time. Now you can rent clubs and I believe it will be a big boost for the sport in our country.”

Despite her local connections, Lovelady won’t be staying privately with family or friends. She insisted: “I am staying in the Village. I want the full experience. How cool is that? To be with the athletes is so much fun. The girls have been asking me about the course and I tell them it’s so much fun to play and very exciting, but that Rio the city will be, too.”

Perhaps she might serenade her fellow golfers in the evenings…with a rendition of Girl from Ipanema, surely?

For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic Coach Rankings visit http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros

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The International Golf Federation this morning announced the draw for the first and second rounds of the women’s golf competition at Rio 2016 when a field of 60 competitors will be seeking to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Abbott of the United States, who won the gold medal in Paris in 1900.

Host nation, Brazil, will be recognised again when Miriam Nagl hits the opening tee shot at 7.30am in the company of Ireland’s Leona Maguire and Kelly Tan of Malaysia – a drive which will mark the return of women’s golf as an Olympic sport after an absence of 116 years. Last week, the honour of the opening tee shot in the men’s competition went to another Brazilian in Adilson da Silva.

Groupings for the field of 60 include world No.1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand playing alongside Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Charley Hull who will representing Great Britain.  The trio tees off in Wednesday’s final starting time at 11:09am. Nordqvist and Hull will aim to have similar results as their medal-winning countrymen Henrik Stenson (silver) and Justin Rose (gold).

While Ko sits in the top-ranked position in the current world rankings and headed the Olympic qualification, No.2  Ariya Jutanugarn, fresh from her first major championship victory at the RICOH Women’s British Open two weeks ago, will represent Thailand at 10:58am with American Stacy Lewis and the Republic of Korea’s Sei Young Kim.

World No.3, Canadian Brooke Henderson, will play alongside two-time major champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway and fourth ranked Lexi Thompson of the United States at 9:14am.

Another interesting group includes former world No.1 Inbee Park.  The Korean star has been side-lined since the beginning of June with a thumb injury but has been working toward the opportunity to represent her country in Rio.  Park tees it up with American Gerina Piller and Spain’s Azahara Munoz at 9:03am.

The field also includes three amateur golfers, Maguire, Tiffany Chan of Hong Kong and Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland.  All tee times are in local time for Rio de Janeiro.

Click Here to View the Groupings Online

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On a sun-drenched final day, in front of a sell-out crowd of 12,000 at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course, Rose added the Olympic crown to his 2013 US Open title after a prolonged and exciting battle down the stretch with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

https://youtu.be/wVrbfXpyad0

In the end, the packed grandstand which turned the 18th arena into a noisy sporting amphitheatre, watched spellbound as Rose got up-and-down from the side of the green for the birdie which sealed a worthy gold medal performance.

Stenson, who knew he needed to hole a 25-footer of his own to force a play-off, three-putted and the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 had a new champion.

Stenson, who emerged on top after a similarly epic shoot-out with Phil Mickelson in The Open at Royal Troon last night, had to accept second place this time and the silver medal was a deserving reward for his part in a wonderful spectacle which saw Matt Kuchar of the United States claim the bronze medal after a course record-equalling last round of 63.

Rose finished with four rounds in the sixties and his closing 67 secured the gold medal with a 16-under-par total of 268. Stenson took silver with a fourth-round 68 for 270 and Kuchar’s swashbuckling last day brought home the remaining medal on 271.

The leading three players completed the 72-hole test detached from the rest of the field, in which Belgium’s Thomas Pieters finished a highly creditable fourth after slicing 12 shots off his third-round 77 with a final day 65.

After holing out for a birdie four on the 18th, Rose punched the air in celebration and fell into the arms of his wife, Kate, before savouring the medal ceremony as the Olympic golf champion.

“Olympic gold medalist – It sounds absolutely incredible,” said the 36-year-old.  “I was on that last green, just sort of pinching myself and taking myself back to the quote that I had given about the Olympics all along – that I hoped my resumé one day read: ‘multiple major champion and Olympic gold medalist’ and if that happened then I’d be a very, very happy man.  I pretty much just need the multiple major now, but for the most part, I’m there on that quote.

“The whole week, I’ve been so focused, really, to be honest with you.  I’ve been so into it.  I’ve been so up for it.  I’ve been just so determined, I suppose, to represent Team GB as best as I could, and it was just the most magical week, it really was.”

The final round in Rio delivered the anticipated head-to-head between two outstanding major champions. And both men held a narrow lead at different times as they exchanged birdies.

It seemed that Stenson might repeat his Open victory at Royal Troon when he edged in front due to a Rose bogey at the 13th, but he handed back the initiative to the Englishman when he bogeyed the 14th and Rose knocked in an eight-footer for birdie on the 15th.

Despite both men missing the green at the last, it was Stenson who blinked first, hitting a weak chip to 25 feet while Rose struck a deft chip close to the hole for a cast-iron birdie four.

Stenson recognised the quality of the golf on display on the final day and admitted: “When you’re in good position to try and win, you always kind of feel a little disappointed afterwards.  But at the same time, we said that all along in the Olympics, you’ve got some pretty good consolation prizes.

“I guess if you would have asked me before the week that I would leave here with a medal, I would have been pretty pleased and I managed to do that.  I’m quite happy, I didn’t feel like I played my absolute best throughout the week but I played good enough to put myself in contention and that was my goal.  Once I was up there, I played pretty well but I needed to play one or two shots better to win it today. “

Rose paid tribute to his rival and friend by saying: “I just said today that I had to out‑Stenson Stenson.  I knew I wasn’t going to get much from him at all.  Obviously the bogey at the last only came because he had to force the putt in.

“But he is unbelievable.  He’s relentless and a great player, and I can’t wait to be on the same team as him in The Ryder Cup.  He’s a great player and he’s a great friend, and I just gave him a hug on the 18th green and he was as gracious as ever. I just said to him, ‘Great summer – winning The Open Championship’, I was so pleased for him.  There are very few guys are you really genuinely, genuinely happy for, and Henrik is one of them.”

Bronze medalist Kuchar just came up short, despite equaling the record 63 set by Australian Marcus Fraser on Thursday. Had he not three putted the 16thand failed to birdie the 18th, he might just have grabbed another colour of medal.

The American Ryder Cup player said: “It’s just an amazing week. It’s a boyhood dream come true. I keep expressing the feeling of sheer pride.  I knew when I was out there playing that I was in third place.  I certainly didn’t want to lose that but also wanted to keep pushing forward.

“While I was out there, playing that back nine, the sense of being an Olympic medalist really hit me.  There were times I kind of had to back off a few times and regather my thoughts and composure to make sure I try to continue to hit good shots and keep making birdies.”

QUOTES OF THE DAY

JUSTIN ROSE: “I think it sits alongside the US Open trophy for me, for sure.  I think people want to keep comparing the two, major championship or Olympic gold, I don’t think they should be compared to one another.  I said earlier this year that if my resumé one day read “multiple major champion and Olympic gold medalist,” I would be a very, very happy man.  Just going to tag on another major now.”

HENRIK STENSON: “You play for your country and I think I did that pretty well today.  It was always going to be a battle ‑‑ or I was hoping it was going to be a battle with me and Justin for the gold and the silver, and it was in the end.  I think we both pleased to be a couple of shots ahead of Matt there coming into the last couple of holes, and it was down to the last hole and Justin just swung that a little bit quicker than me up the 18th (laughs).”

MATT KUCHAR: “I grew up a fan of sport.  I had the dreams most boys have of hoping to compete in an Olympics, hoping to win a medal.  The sport I ended up choosing was the sport that through my lifetime has not been an Olympic sport.  When it did become an Olympic sport, the lights went off and said, how amazing, I can’t believe I now potentially have the opportunity.”

JUSTIN ROSE: (on using a picture of Michael Phelps for motivation) “I think the picture sort of circulated on social media a little bit.  I think Michael Phelps is literally just doing his stroke, eyes forward, and then there’s a guy to his right kind of looking at him.  You know, part of our mentality was just to keep our eyes forward and play as hard as we could and take care of our business.  That’s what Henrik does so well.  I knew that would be a strategy that wouldn’t necessarily give me an advantage today but it would kind of ‑ it was something that was going to be very, very useful.  It was a nice, powerful image on which to work off.”

HENRIK STENSON: (comparing Olympic atmosphere to a major championship) “It is slightly different and I don’t think you necessarily need to compare, either.  It’s a whole new experience for us as golfers, participating here, and it’s been a fun one.  I’m really happy I went.  It’s memories of a lifetime being here competing, and we’re competing for our countries more than we do normally in a way.  Yeah, it’s been a nice ten days in Brazil.”

MATT KUCHAR: “To look at the support that was out here, to look at the guys that came through, won medals, I think it speaks for itself.  This event has gone over I think fantastically well.  Amazing support from the crowds.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect as far as golf in Brazil.  I didn’t think that it would have great support and it really did. If you take the broadcast and then look at what a great showdown to have these two guys battling down the end.  I don’t know that it could have gone much better for the game.  It’s a clear winner to move forward.”

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So, at a time when golf is crying out for a standard bearer to lead the sport into the Olympic arena after an absence of 112 years this month, who better than a Black Knight in shining armour to ride to the rescue?

Now well into his 81st year, the South African has devoted more than six of those eight pioneering decades into helping to popularise the game of golf in even the remotest dot on the planet.

Player realised a life’s ambition by marching around the running track in Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium as the deeply proud Team Leader of his homeland, alongside the four South African golfers who formed part of golf’s return to the Olympic movement.

“Golf needs a shot in the arm right now,” insisted Player, “And this will be the platform on which to convince the International Olympic Committee that golf is not just a good sport, but that we behave well and that we will embrace the public in Rio and make a point of promoting  not only golf and also the IOC.”

Player’s eyes gleam with dazzlzing intensity as he talks, in his inimitably passionate style, about the opportunity to march behind the South African flag with Jaco Van Zyl, Brandon Stone, Ashleigh Simon and Paula Reto. He believes that golf has an opportunity like never before to continue the missionary work started half a century earlier by the original ‘Big Three’ of Player, Palmer and Nicklaus.

The top three in the current World Rankings may be absent at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course from August 11-14, but Player has no doubts how he and his legendary cohorts, Jack and Arnold, would not have missed a golden opportunity to tee up in Rio.

“It’s laughable to suggest otherwise,” he said. “When I see a professional saying he doesn’t care about the development of golf, I want to cry. I’ve spent 63 years with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus going arond the world – not getting a lot of appearence money – promoting the game of golf. Even today, at the age of 80, I keep thinking to myself: what can I do to promote the game that has done so much for me?

“I played golf all around the world in places with yellow fever, in war zones, with people wanting to kill me because of the apartheid system in South Africa. We faced all those difficulties, travelling around the world with no jet planes. It could take me 40 hours to get to America, stopping four times. I hear about (playing) schedules. Let (other players) see my schedule at the age of 80 and it’s well in excess of theirs.

“I grew up with Palmer and Nicklaus; Watson and Trevino. How differently we would have treated the whole situation. I do respect everyone’s reasons for not playing, but I would have given anything to hold, along with my 18 majors and 165 victories, an Olympic Gold Medal. It would have been a dream to get that.”

Growing up in Johannesburg, Player might have been smaller in stature than many of his contemporaries, but very few could ever match his dedication, application and almost superhuman fitness. To this day, the ‘Black Knight’ tackles fitness and diet with an almost religious zeal, revelling in a work schedule that would make a 25 year old shrink in horror. Retirement, he once reportedly said, is “a death sentence.”

Player clearly believes implicitly in the ethos of the Olympic Games as a heaven-sent vehicle to transport golf’s skills and values into uncharter territories.

“There are potentially 3.5 billion people out there watching. There is a reason why it is the biggest sporting event in the world and if ever golf needed a shot in the arm it’s right now. Henrik Stenson certainly provided that at Royal Troon a few weeks ago when he won The Open. What a boost that was, and to know we have The Open champion playing in Rio, and the Masters champion also. Let’s talk about that rather than who might be absent.”

Player continued: “The Olympics will undoubtedly grow the game worldwide, no matter who plays and who doesn’t. So many eyes will see golf on television, when they couldn’t before. Golf needs to be an Olympic sport because of its global allure and I would appeal to the IOC to treat us leniently in terms of golf’s future participation. As Winston Churchill said: ‘The youth of today are the trustees of prosperity’.”

Player nodded with quiet approval when one of his charges, Jaco Van Zyl, withdrew from The Open and the US PGA Championship in order to re-charge his batteries and focus all his mental and physical energies on reaching his peak in Rio

“I thought he came out with some powerful statements. He is the epitome of a professional golfer and I look forward to working with Jaco and the others in our South African team in Brazil. In my role, I hope to be able to help them in any way, either with their swing, or any problems which might arise, but basically to be there to encourage them as their captain to play well.”

Unlike many of the golfers competing in Rio, competing in Brazil is nothing new to Player. He has been there “many times’ and won the Brazilian Open twice in 1972 and 1974. He also, for good measure, broke 60 with a record score of 59 in the second round of the event at Gavea Golf and Country Club in Rio on November 29, 1974.

“I am the only man who has broken 60 in a national championship,” he said.

After hosting his annual Invitational event at Wentworth last month, Player flew to the city of his birth for a grand banquet and parade in Johannesburg. He took part in the street parade proudly wearing the green and gold colours of South Africa.

No-one would have radiated more pride than the golf Team Leader. If drive, determination and willpower alone could ensure that the Olympic golf competitions are successful, then Player would be  in the vanguard. South Africa have their Black Knight. Now it is up to the golfers to deliver.

For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf Olympic Coach Rankings visit http://eur.pe/OlympicPGAPros

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