The 2016 Rio Olympics golf competition starts back up on Wednesday, as the women head to the Olympic Golf Course for Round 1 action.
The 2016 Rio Olympics will feature women’s golf for the first time since 1900, as the women did not compete during the 1904 Games. In fact, the 1900 Olympics held in Paris, France were the first Olympics where women could compete at all. Margaret Abbott won the gold in 1900, though she was given a bowl and not a medal. With her win, she became the first American woman to win gold.
Fast forward 116 years and 60 women will descend on the Olympic Golf Course to do battle over a four-day period. The tournament will be run as 72-hole stroke play, with the three lowest scores being awarded medals. Unlike regular tournaments on the LPGA, there will be no cut after 36 holes.
Unlike the men’s tournament, the biggest names in the sport will be competing, and it should make for incredible golf.
World No.1 Lydia Ko will be representing New Zealand in Rio, and is the front runner for the gold medal. The 19-year old Ko is already a two-time major winner, and will be in the final pairing on Wednesday. She has the ability to be in the final pairing on Saturday, if she can take care of business.
Also in the field is Brooke Henderson, who is currently the third-ranked player in the world. The 18-year old will be representing Canada in Rio and is coming off her first major win. Henderson won the KPMG’s Women’s PGA Championship this past June, marking the biggest win of her career.
The United States will be well represented during the tournament, as three of the top-20 golfers in the world will play for Team USA. Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, and Gerina Piller will all take aim at the gold medal, and all three have a legitimate shot at making the podium. Lewis was once the best player in the world, so keep an eye out for her name in the standings.
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Details for Round 1 of the 2016 Rio Olympics Women’s Golf competition on Wednesday are below.
Date: Wednesday, August 17
Start Time: 6:30 a.m. ET
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TV Info: Golf Channel (Live, Coverage at 6:30 a.m. ET)
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com
The women’s tournament will continue on Thursday, as Round 2 action gets underway. The women’s tournament will run until Saturday, when the medals will be given out.