Round 2 action of the 2016 Rio Olympics golf competition gets underway on Thursday, as Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn looks to extend her lead.
After an incredible Round 1 of the 2016 Rio Olympics Women’s golf tournament on Wednesday, the action continues on Thursday with Round 2 action. The tournament is the first women’s Olympic golf tournament since 1900, and if the first round is any indication, it is sure to go down to the wire.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn stole the show on Wednesday, carding a 6-under-65 in Round 1. Jutanugarn had a bogey on hole 4, and then did not have another one until the 11th hole. That would be her last bogey of the day, to go along with seven birdies and an eagle.
Right behind Jutanugarn are two South Korean golfers who have been very good on the LPGA Tour. Inbee Park was once considered the best player in women’s golf, and is a three-time winner of the Women’s PGA Championship. In 2015, Park won both the PGA Championship and the Women’s British Open, and has won 17 times total on the LPGA Tour.
Seiyoung Kim was the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2015, winning three events throughout her first season on tour. This year, Kim has won twice, including beating Lydia Ko by five strokes in the JTBC Founders Cup in March.
The shot of the first round came from Ko, the 19-year old who is the number one ranked player in the world. Ko used an 8-iron to hole out from 135 yards, capturing an eagle on the par-4 15th. Ko finished the round 2-under, and is tied for 11th heading into Round 2.
All three American golfers posted scored under par on Wednesday, including Lexi Thompson, who is tied for seventh at three-under. Fellow countrywoman Gerina Piller shot a 2-under-69, while Stacy Lewis, a former world no. 1 player, posted a 1-under-70. All three should be in contention the rest of the way.
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Details for Round 2 of the 2016 Rio Olympics Women’s Golf competition on Thursday are below.
Date: Thursday, August 18
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
Rounds 3 and 4 are slated for Friday and Saturday, with the lowest three scores earning medals.