“It really is unbelievable”.
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“It takes a little pressure off about golf being in the Olympics down the road”, Lewis said. Just before them another exciting trio involves both Jutanugarn and Lewis, whilst Brazilian Miriam Nagl will begin proceedings at 7:30 local time. I always like to deal with missed opportunity than not even having an opportunity. The 20-year-old from Thailand draws former world No. 1, American Stacy Lewis, and South Korea’s Sei Young Kim. “I was just very fortunate that a few years ago golf was named back into the Games, and I’m just excited to be here”. The road to Rio for Lopez has been “a dream come true, for sure” – one that sends chills up and down her spine. Tears welled up as Piller talked of what it would mean to her to win a medal. Perhaps the five birdies and 13 pars over an Olympic Golf Course helped, just as it did last week for the men when many said the unique sights and sounds at Rio’s golf venue changed their perspective. And they also realize that if the next one’s 2020, especially on the LPGA, where youth just keeps coming, no one is convinced that they’ll be at the top of that chart in 2020 – so they realize that it’s an opportunity.
It’s unsurprising that numerous biggest names in the world of women’s golf will be competing in the tournament from Rio starting on Wednesday. Because only four players from a country may qualify, 10th-ranked Ha-Na Jang will have to watch from home. “We can hopefully grow our tour and grow women’s golf”. The favourite was actually born in South Korea, though Lydia Ko moved to New Zealand when she was young and gained citizenship when she was 12. “We were going to put on a great show anyway”.
“It’s a week I definitely want to peak for”.
Adding to the top field is a world-class course – the same course shared by the PGA pros just last week. “Obviously competing against all the best in the world, in the Olympic Games, what we’ve never done before, it’s such a special feeling”.
“It’s unusual they’re playing the same golf course. It’s a huge honor, and like I said, it could be the highlight of my golfing career”. Justin Rose won gold at 16-under par through four rounds.
“So I hope it’s going to be the same for the girls”. It depends on the wind. “It can only bring positive things and good spirit for what we are trying to do every day”.
Mullally has done his best to prep his team, as the Canadians travelled to Houston last week for a mini camp, playing on a course with identical grass to the new Olympic Golf Course in Rio.
Brooke Henderson is another to have blossomed in 2016 with two victories but her most recent form is well below that she was producing earlier in the season. The seven-time major champion has not played on the LPGA Tour in two months because of a thumb injury. Nordqvist is the flawless value play in the head-to-head betting matchup as the veteran Swede will look to pick up from where Stenson left off and try to deliver a gold for her home country.
Sharp, too, has been busy this season, competing in 19 LPGA events.
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“Because the fairways are so wide people think you can hit it anywhere but driving is very important here”, she says.
