How it will play for the women next week is another thing entirely, but we’ll get to that after the men win medals.
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“It’s Thursday”, American golfer Patrick Reed said.
Two-time Masters victor Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed will also represent the United States in Rio, with Fowler pointing out that means they are the only nation capable of a clean sweep of the medals.
As for Rickie Fowler, well, he’s been in Rio since before the opening ceremony.
The course designer, Gil Hanse, has said the lack of trees promote wind movement and if Rio has its typical windy August conditions the course will provide a really tough challenge. “Now that we actually have the opportunity, it’s awesome”. And he doesn’t care who’s at Olympic Golf Course.
He four-putted No. 1, never did find any comfort on the greens and wound up shooting a 75, better than only two of the other 59 golfers competing.
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When Fowler and Bubba Watson were leaving the practice pool on Tuesday they were surprised when someone rang the bell. “It’s a really cool feeling”.
The 45-minute conference featured questions ranging from golf’s viability at the Olympics to the importance of the event to players – whose 2016 season includes the four major championships and 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine beginning September 27 in addition to the Olympics. He has been hanging with other athletes at the Olympic village, including the divers.
“I wouldn’t say they are upset but I have had a very warm welcome from fellow USA athletes and other athletes around the village, nearly thanking me for being here”.
Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, delivered a brilliant third round 65 to take a one-shot lead over Stenson, the reigning Open champion, in front of large and enthusiastic crowds in the Rio sunshine, many of whom might have been unfamiliar with the high quality of golf served up by the leading players. I grew up a fan of sport. “Wouldn’t that be unbelievable?” What could you do to be an Olympic athlete?
But, after watching the Olympians who did make the trip, I’m kind of glad the others backed out. It’s a fantastic experience. “The sad thing is, I shouldn’t say this, but golf gets in the way. I figured coming down here, it would be great”. 20 and 21. They watched swimming phenom Katie Ledecky win another gold. They also hope to see Justin Gatlin take on Usain Bolt in the 100-meter on Sunday night after golf concludes.
“There were some reasons on why some of the guys felt it was necessary for them not to be here”, Reed said.
“When you look at these other countries, and these athletes that train for years, not just hours, years, and they got 30 seconds or they got a minute or they got under ten seconds”.
“I think everyone enjoys the fact they’ve done such a god job with the course and it’s in a natural environment”.
Golfers from a host of nations agree that the Olympic spirit is in the air after three rounds of the first golf tournament at the Games in 112 years. The sport debuted in the Paris 1900 Olympic Games, and Charles Sands, from NY, won golf’s first Olympic gold medal that year.
The sport’s reintroduction to the Olympics has had its share of setbacks and naysayers. He had been eliminated from men’s singles and doubles in the lawn tennis tournament earlier in the 1900 Games. It will be a 72-hole, stroke-play event, what we see every week on the PGA TOUR, albeit without a cut.
While Brazil grapples with its economy, the Olympic golf tournament faced its own problems.
Competition for medals in Rio will be steep.
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The other mystery is golf itself. A playoff like the way Rickie Fowler won The Players Championship? “I’m going to be a legend in Olympic history, in Olympic golf history, I guess”. “But we’re the only country that has a chance to podium sweep”. It didn’t have a “Hey, we’re in Rio, this is the Olympics!” feel to it. She has contributed to TeamUSA.org since its inception in 2008.
