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5 Things We Learned from Day 2 of the Olympics

Published

10 years ago

Aug 12, 2016

Yesterday we hinted in this column at the potential for low scores on the Olympic course in Rio. On Day 1, we saw a 63 and a bucket of 66s and 67s. Day 2 brought a 65 and 66 as the two low scores. However, a quick look at the metrics of each hole reveals how the course can be had, and how one of those recent Tour 58s (or something near it) is within reach.

Let’s begin five things we learned on Day 2 with a look at those important numbers.

Half the holes in Rio are playing under par

All four par-5 holes can be called birdie holes, but golfers aren’t likely to make eagle. The long holes have yielded 88 birdies but 0 eagles. The four eagles have been counted on two par-4 holes (Nos. 3 and 16) and Justin Rose’s 1st-round ace. Interestingly, three of the five short holes are averaging below three strokes per hole, rare for par-3’s. As for the two-shot holes, Nos. 9 and 16 are victims of Olympian expertise.

If someone gets hot and takes advantage of those nine holes, he could be off to the start needed to go super-low. This is important, because Days 1 and 2 have also revealed…

Rio’s Trio can ruin your day mid-round

The 11th, 12th and 13th holes are all playing at least one-quarter shot above par. That’s quite a stretch. The holes have been responsible for 51 bogeys and 7 doubles, plus one other (the bad type.) Ten birdies have been scored on the holes, so they aren’t impenetrable. If that same someone from No. 5 could navigate Rio’s Trio at par or better, watch out.

At the same time, if a leader stumbles just past the turn, those in pursuit have renewed hope.

Team USA began to dig itself out of its first-round hole

Matt Kuchar shot under par again, but not low enough to make a move up the board higher than a tie for 14th. Bubba Watson was good for 67, moving into 18th place. Patrick Reed was also under par, coming in at 22nd at the halfway post.

As for Rickie Fowler, well, he shot par and hung out with Matthew McConaughey. Fowler won’t win a medal, but his circle of acquaintances might be worth something to those who care about trendy dudes.

The Olympic men’s golf competition is an international affair

The first 14 golfers belong to 14 different countries. You have to count down to Emiliano Grillo (Argentina) and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) at a tie for 14th to have your first country repeat. It’s probable that the organizers and proponents of the competition were hoping to increase the popularity of the game throughout the world. The sight of Chinese Taipei and Norway in the top-10 suggest that baby steps are being taken.

My halfway pick to wear the golf medal is…

3 birdies on the last 3 holes for @Thomas_Pieters to card 66: https://t.co/pgNm9CkUyE #Rio2016 #Golf pic.twitter.com/h3BYDlBaVY

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 12, 2016

Thomas Pieters. Not a real reach, as the Belgian sits one back of Marcus Fraser (10-under), who maintained his tenuous lead with a 69 on Friday. Pieters has the talent to win the big one, and the Olympics would certainly qualify as one of those. Despite the presence of Open champion Henrik Stenson at 8-under and Justin Rose at 6-under, we like Pieters to break through on the Olympic stage of Rio 2016. The University of Illinois graduate had seven birdies in his day-low round and looks to be on solid, spectacular form.

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Ronald Montesano

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

10 Comments

Erik

Aug 13, 2016 at 2:37 pm

Course is really fun to watch. Being olympics, race for precious medals and not money is great for a change.
I miss Day, Something, Scott and DJ. Since mosquitoes are absent and they fact they are not pregnant women, they must regret their decision not to participate.

Reply Report comment
Ezra

Aug 13, 2016 at 1:49 pm

I picture you as a fat guy with very little mobility, eating junk food in front of his PC all day long. Do you have a cat?

Reply Report comment
- ooffa
  
  Aug 13, 2016 at 3:07 pm
  
  Olympic Golf is great but it’s certainly not as fun to watch as the Air Rifle competition.
  You know Olympic golf is a failure when people would rather be watching freakin archery.
  It’s a bust. End it now. Reformat it and try again in a country where a fly won’t mutate a fetus and where they can at least keep the swimming pools from turning green.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ronald Montesano

Aug 13, 2016 at 10:06 am

Astute and salient observations on the golf. With all the other sports, did IOC have no time to promote golf? Did IGF and other supporting bodies not step up to lend a hand? To promote golf tourism?

These may be the two worst locations for golf to debut as an Olympic sport. Brasil has had a run of bad fortune (fiscal news, Zika, security forces) and Japan may be a challenge as far as how many spectators can be accommodated at the host club. If golf had debuted, say, in Beijing in 2008 and been followed by London 2012, we might be on different terms of discussion here.

Reply Report comment
jd

Aug 13, 2016 at 2:43 am

How low are you gonna go Smiz?

Reply Report comment
- James
  
  Aug 13, 2016 at 4:16 am
  
  Depends on how much Extenze he’s had
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Tom
    
    Aug 13, 2016 at 12:33 pm
    
    His phycologist recommends his participation on this thread for treatment of anxiety
    
    Reply Report comment
Ronald Montesano

Aug 12, 2016 at 9:52 pm

Brian on Facebook above.

You are correct. I’m going to have to check those statistics again. They may be more than one hole off. They were purported to be official ones, but clearly something is missing.

RM

Reply Report comment
Short Limbs McConaughey

Aug 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm

Alright alright alright

Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Aug 13, 2016 at 1:36 am
  
  Lol +1
  
  Reply Report comment

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