Olympics golf: What to expect from golf's Olympic return in Rio
Thursday 11 August 2016 06:26, UK
As golf makes its Olympic return after a 112-year absence, we answer some of the key questions about what to expect in Rio this week…
How did golf get its Olympic return?
The IOC voted in 2009 to re-introduce the sport to the games after more than a century away, guaranteeing its spot for both this year's Olympics and also for Tokyo in 2020.
Golf made its debut at the Paris games in 1900, where Team USA claimed a 1-2-3 in the women's event and America's Charles Sand won the men's tournament.
The women's tournament was ditched in favour of a men's team event four years later, where three all-USA sides went head-to-head. Only two nations were represented in the men's individual tournament, with Canada's George Lyon taking victory.
What was the qualification process?
World ranking based whether players made it to Rio or not, with 60 players qualifying in each of the men's and women's events.
A maximum of four players per country could qualify from the world's top 15, although the USA will be the only nation in the men's game with a full quota.
The remaining spots went to the world's top-ranked players from countries that don't already have two players in the field, with 34 nationalities represented in the men's tournament.
How will the tournament work?
The format for both genders will be a 72-hole stroke play tournament, unlike the match play event used when golf was last included in St Louis in 1904.
There will be no midway cut for the tournament, with the men's event running from Thursday to Sunday and the women's tournament beginning the following week.
If there's a tie for any of the three medal positions, then a three-hole play-off followed by extra holes if needed will determine the winner.
Who is playing?
None of the world's current top four will be teeing it up in Rio, with Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy leading a high-profile group to rule themselves out of selection.
A number of players have cited the Zika virus for deciding against travelling to Brazil, while a hectic schedule which saw three majors played in seven weeks has also been blamed.
Former world No 1 Adam Scott was joined by fellow ex-major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel in withdrawing, with Branden Grace and Shane Lowry also among those deciding against travelling to Rio.
A weak field then?
Not at all, as there is still eight of the world's top 20 in action and a whole host of former major winners involved.
Open champion Henrik Stenson headlines this week's field, while Green Jacket holder Danny Willett and Justin Rose make up the Team GB squad.
Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson are two of the four players representing Team USA, with Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer leading the other European interest.
What's at stake for the winner?
Although there's no official prize money linked to an Olympic medal, there's plenty up for grabs for those who top the podium this week.
The men's gold medalist will receive a one-year exemption into the 2017 majors, while the women's winner's year-long pass begins at the 2016 Evian Championship.
How can I follow the action?
You can follow hole-by-hole updates on the Sky Sports leaderboard, with regular updates available via the Sky Sports Olympics blog and on Sky Sports News HQ. There will also be daily reports and reaction on the Sky Sports Golf website.
