Olympic Golf Preview: Rio 2016

Anyway, golf is back and just in time for the Americans to play as if the sport should be removed from the Olympic program again, after only one round.

Several leading golfers have pulled out of the Olympics because of fears over the Zika virus, including the world’s top four-Australia’s Jason Day, Americans Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth plus Irishman Rory McIlroy.

I can’t answer the question. “Right or wrong, it’s hard for me to focus on golf, because of the fact that it’s just a dream of a lifetime be associated with these great athletes”.

And then there have been his less public attempts to dig the needle a little deeper into those who opted out of an Olympic start.

He said: “Personally I wasn’t brought up watching the Olympics as a golfer, I was brought up watching the Open and the Masters, those are the tournaments I wanted to play in and win”. It was never golf.

A number of teams are lucky enough to have multiple players in position to compete for medals, and who knows, if one group is really lucky they could even come away with multiple medals. They were just fans as Michael Phelps picked up gold medals Nos. “I know the other boys other than Kuch, they are not too satisfied, either”. The Olympic theme, that everyone is the same, I enjoy that.

“I want to see it up close”, said the eternal Bubba.

My whole family is going to Rio to experience it. For us it’s a point to prove for Europe: We can beat the best of the USA tour. If Brian wins gold, she’ll join fellow Wahoo Leah Smith, who won gold in the pool Wednesday in the 4×200 relay as well as a bronze in the 400 meter freestyle.

“The people that had actually spent time here said it’s a great city and you’ll love coming down here”.

Golf is back in the Olympics and returned with a bang, as low scores were the order of the day in benign conditions. “I haven’t had a problem and I definitely feel safe here. I turned around, they are all looking at us, chanting ‘USA'”.

“The nerves don’t get me very many places”.

The other mystery is golf itself. “They are glad we made a decision to come”. I didn’t putt very well.

Kuchar says he is sure the International Olympic Committee will keep golf beyond 2020 when it reconsiders Games events next year. You can’t get down on yourself. I think it’s been decent crowds out there and good atmosphere.

Hanse did his part with a clever layout in which four of the par 4s are at least 479 yards, and the other par 4s are no more than 412 yards, including the 16th hole that measures 303 yards and can be reached off the tee.

The Ryder Cup is foremost on my mind and all of our minds.

In all, UVa sent 14 athletes representing seven different countries to Rio, as well as two coaches.

Most of the men’s field has touched down in Brazil, including New Zealand duo Danny Lee and Ryan Fox. So I’d prefer not to compare them.

“I hit it to about three inches to the same hole during the same round”, van Zyl said.

In certain cases, finishing second or third at an important event – like a major championship – can bolster a golfer’s long-term prospects. “Everyone’s head was down focusing on trying to figure out the wind”. I think it’s awesome.

And it gives him a little more ammunition for his texts. But if it was in the winter, it wouldn’t be quite as much of a conflict in our schedule. “It’s the Olympics. It’s special”. It’s the first time that we are in it for a long time. Golf is, by design, a sport that demands a healthy dose of competitive amnesia. “There are three things you have to do in golf: wear sunscreen, bug spray and you have to hydrate”. “The more it becomes available to the public, the more I believe people will take it up”.

A rising tide lifts all ships, and that’s how we feel. This is the only continent where the Presidents Cup has not been played. Heck, where was the unusual little Rio Olympics logo on the screen?

The field is led by Bubba Watson, who is the fifth ranked player in the world. I’m glad the women are supporting it so strongly. “Or dirt, whatever you want to call it. Mud putter”.

And a bonus thing we learned, the capybara are ugly: Those water rodents, the big ones that look like a cross between a chocolate lab and a hippo, are not really cute. That’s been good, good support.