5. Welcome Back, Golf
For the first time in more than 100 years, golf makes its return to the Olympic games in Rio. In 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced golf would be reinstated for the 2016 games in Rio and 2020 games in Tokyo. Golf was last played in the 1904 Olympic games in St. Louis, Missouri.
4. What's The Format?
Agreed upon by the players, the format for the 2016 competition will be played like a traditional PGA Tour or LPGA Tour event. Individual stroke play will be played over 72-holes during four days of competition. However unlike most events on Tour, there will be no 36-hole cut, giving the entire field the opportunity to play all four days. The IOC says the format will be re-evaluated for the 2020 games in Tokyo. The player with the lowest aggregate score will be awarded the gold medal.
3. The Venue
The Olympic Golf Course was constructed for the summer games in Barra da Tijuca, which is located to the west of Rio de Janeiro. Hanse Golf Course Design, led by golf course architect Gil Hanse along with five-time major champion and Hall of Fame member Amy Alcott, designed the venue. The course will play to 7,128 yards at a par 71 for the men’s competition and 6,245 yards also at a par 71 for the women’s competition.
2. Who Is In The Field?
60 players make up the field for both the men and women’s competition. Players qualified to represent their country based on their world ranking. Countries with players ranked in the top-15 in the world are eligible to send as many as four players to the games based on their ranking, with countries outside the top-15 eligible to send a maximum of two players. Click here to view the complete women’s field.
1. Where To Watch and When
The men’s competition will be staged during the first week of the Olympic games, held August 11-14. The women’s competition is being held the second week of the games, August 17-20.
The first three rounds will be broadcast on Golf Channel beginning at 6:30 a.m. ET. The final round will be broadcast beginning at 6:00 a.m. ET. Times apply to both the men’s and women’s competition.
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