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5 Things We Learned from Day 4 of the Olympics

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9 years ago

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In 1904, four men left St. Louis with smiles on their faces and medals around their necks. In those Olympic games, golf was contested at match play, and the semifinalists took home the bronze. Three Americans earned medals, while the gold went to Canadian George Lyon.

One-hundred-and-twelve years later, the number was reduced to three, as Olympic golf returned at medal play. We’ll save the details for a paragraph or two, but we’d like to close the first week of Olympic golf with five things we learned on Day 4 in Rio.

This Olympic thing is here to stay

If Jordan Spieth is already focused on representing his country in Japan in 2020, Olympic golf might be just what the golf universe needs to move beyond Tiger. If there’s one thing we learned in 2016, a spectacular golf course is a must. Japan, you’ve got #Hirono, #Kawana and #Naruo. Pick one and golf wins!

Thomas Pieters is so close

And also very tall, but so close to winning big tournaments. For three rounds, he was 15-under par. If his Saturday had been a 70 instead of a 77, we might be rolling out the red carpet for a new hope. The 24-year-old Belgian won important events as an amateur (NCAA, Monroe) and has won twice on the European Tour. The heart that he showed on Sunday, closing with 65 (the second-best round of the day) to finish 4th, should stand him well as he closes 2016 and enters 2017. His closing tweet on Saturday revealed his spirit and his soul. Proficiat!, Pieters.

Matt Kuchar made the most of a single putt

Remember that putt that Kuchar made on the final green at the WGC-Bridgestone, the one that got him a tie for 3rd and to 15th in the Official World Golf Rankings? Good, because it got him to Rio when Dustin Johnson pulled out, and it also got him a bronze medal. Kuchar lit up the Reserva de Marapendi on Day 4 with 63. His run from holes 5-10 (birdie-birdie-par-birdie-birdie-eagle) brought him to the chase, and closing birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 elevated him to 13-under and a bronze medal.

“I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” could be heard echoing around the golf course, long after the medals were awarded.

Henrik Stenson is not afraid of mosquitoes

“I’m not afraid of mosquitoes. I’m more afraid of bears.” Thus Spake Stenson, setting the tone for the 2016 Rio Olympic men’s golf tournament. He didn’t fear capybaras, nor Justin Rose, for that matter. Stenson battled to the 72nd hole, taking a run at birdie to tie the inevitable 16-under that Rose would turn in. His bogey at the last was meaningless, as his silver medal was assured. Stenson might be his generation’s Ben Hogan, a late-blooming major contender and winner.

Justin Rose is a deserving champion

Rose never wavered in his desire to play in the Olympics. Despite a myriad of withdrawals, the 2013 U.S. Open champion added what’s nearly a major to his resume. Rose began the week with an ace, then reached the final hole of the tournament tied for the lead. He played the hole flawlessly, hitting two mammoth shots within 40 yards. His pitch came up 3 feet shy, forcing his competition to make an all-or-nothing run at birdie to tie. It was not to be, and Rose tapped in for a two-stroke win and a golf medal.

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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.

21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. Jim

    Aug 15, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    When we talk of “growing the game” – Where?! In financially stable countries? To save Nike or Golfsmith? Or MY Job as a PGA Professional?

    I don’t know how the economy affects equestrian events (probably not at all at that level) but aside from the most elite horse club here a couple of smaller riding stables have had to reduce operations or close shop.

    I love golf. It’s one of the many great gifts my father gave me, but one of the few that lasts a lifetime.

    We grew up at the driving range (used to be two in town – before P&Z allowed condos, now there’s none) and were fortunate the town had a nice little course they bought for a town asset in the early 60’s, so greens fees were cheap, but golf isn’t ever going to be inexpensive. Even a few box sets of crap and weekly range trips or muni fees for a family conpeting with baseball or swimming / karate – whatever is keeping the ‘growth’ down…

    Anyone can turn on the TV and see golf virtually year round. How often do we get to see Diving / Gymnastics / or even give a crap about 4 man swim relays – unless national pride makes us want to watch – do even the most diehard ‘Bama fans watch NCAA swimming / diving? Is it even on ESPN13?

    Olympics won’t make/break golf. It’ll be ‘Dressage’. More pampering of elites, and less curious to watch.

    Reply Report comment

  2. EGDEW Rich

    Aug 15, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Funny, NBCSPORTS app was free, I phone resolution was spectacular, watched every day while”working” ! TV coverage via free internet was well above average, David Feherty was great, and JMill was reigned in for the most part. That Belgian fellow is VERY good, watch out Ryder Cup.
    Rose was the perfect winner, and Stenson is at the top of his game. World’s top ten has been erratic at best this year, so who missed those not there? Kuch is THE class act, and his run was fantastic. Great final round coverage. Looking forward to the Ladies and hope an elder wins, parallel to the Men’s experience level for the medal winners. Also, the golf course creation was perfect putting emphasis on driving, and wedge play, and no Body Bag mounds on the greens.

    Reply Report comment

  3. Jim

    Aug 15, 2016 at 10:54 am

    Ryder Cup? HooYah

    President’s Cup? Sure

    Does NOT belong in Olympics

    what did we learn? Pretty much no one gives a crap

    Reply Report comment

  4. Grizz01

    Aug 15, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Totally agree. Horrible event. What made it worse were all the announcers slobbering all over themselves trying make the event sound more important that it was. On top of that, pretty much slamming those for not coming to the event. Without mentioning names of course. I loved it when Johnny Miller talked about how Phil would have eaten these greens up… they were perfect for his wedge game. But HE couldn’t be there!!!! Sad sorry field as a whole.

    Need to make this a team event as well.

    Reply Report comment

  5. Donald Quiote

    Aug 15, 2016 at 10:11 am

    Geez it hurts to agree with the Smiz haha. Dropped the ball with this just being covered by the Golf Channel first of all. I think it really did hurt with some many of the big names not going… If you want the event to be a bigger draw you have to get the biggest names to commit. I don’t know the solution if you get all the big names too… Kuch almost did not get to go and has played great golf this year. I think maybe you need to just invite the top 50 players in the world and then let the other countries send representatives also… I am not sure of a solution but you need all the big names involved if you want this to really take off.

    Reply Report comment

  6. ooffa

    Aug 15, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Agreed Smiz, What a snore-fest. Golf needs a major fix for the next Olympics. Anyone who says this was a great event clearly has issues that need to be addressed by a life coach.

    Reply Report comment

  7. Scott

    Aug 15, 2016 at 9:55 am

    nope. you are wrong. great event.

    Reply Report comment

  8. golfraven

    Aug 15, 2016 at 3:17 am

    I was cheering for the European players and glad to see Rose win it. That was a close run and was decided on the last hole so it could have gone either way for Stenson or Rose.
    However saying that my experience as a spectator here was bad is very underrated. The coverage was piss poor and I have not watched one minute of live golf during the men’s play. What a letdown!

    Reply Report comment

  9. Christosterone

    Aug 15, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Not gonna lie….I thought this Olympics experiment was going to be a disaster…
    So,very glad I was wrong….it was a blast to watch and the golf was so fun…
    I do think it would be cool to add a team component on top of the individual…I think Johnny said he thought u could count the low 2 from each country as a pair…
    Sounds fun and gives everyone more chances for medals…

    Awesome tourney and I hope Hideki and Ishikawa(if he remembers how awesome he is) show well in 2020 Tokyo….

    -Chris

    Reply Report comment

    • Oe

      Aug 15, 2016 at 1:54 am

      We still have the Ladies coming up! It’s not over yet! This website is bias against women though. Not good enough. We need to have more coverage of the ladies and their WITB.

      Reply Report comment

      • Prime21

        Aug 15, 2016 at 6:36 am

        ? Why? Take your “awesome” idea and run with it by starting your very own Lgolfwrx.com and that way, you will never have to come back to this biased sight. While you’re at it, check out the WNBA too, I hear that is an outstanding product as well.

        Reply Report comment

        • Scooter McGavin

          Aug 15, 2016 at 9:18 am

          The typical “If you don’ like it, you can git out!” mentality. There’s nothing wrong with trying to improve existing entities or institutions. Instead of further separating and isolating women’s golf, why not embrace and encourage it, and help it thrive? Constantly separating it into its own little bubble is what perpetuates the mentality that women’s sports don’t matter, when in fact, the existing framework of success of male sports could be used to help women’s sports grow in popularity. Even if you are not going to care about women’s golf, would it really be that offensive to you or a waste of your time if there was more coverage of it on this site?

          Reply Report comment

      • Donald Quiote

        Aug 15, 2016 at 10:05 am

        I do agree that the ladies should get a little more coverage on here. I know that the men’s game will always reign supreme and I am not arguing with that but I really would enjoy more WITB for the LPGA. Since most golfers on here can relate their game to the Ladies then the men’s I think it would be more interesting. Also agree that coverage of the Women’s game can help it grow! Why put it down and talk bad when you could embrace it and make the best of it? I love the game.. not the men’s game… not the women’s game… just the game of golf!

        Also Prime21 with that mindset please just do us all a favor and leave.

        Reply Report comment

  10. Daniel

    Aug 14, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    Wonder what all the guys who pulled out think now. I really hope it stings like hell

    Reply Report comment

    • Bob

      Aug 15, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Really Daniel

      Golf at the best of times is boring, thou from time to time it does have it’e moments.

      Sorry but I have to give the Men’s Olympics a Fail. !. I blame the World Golf Federation for choosing the most boring from of golf, straight stoke play, there wasn’t even a cut? 2, And in the end the announcers and the broadcast totally killed any hope of any excitement.

      Reply Report comment

    • drew

      Aug 15, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      Daaamn Daniel, back at it again with the hot takes!

      Reply Report comment

  11. Marc Tanner

    Aug 14, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Kasumigaseki Country Club’s East course is the venue for Olympic golf in 2020 in Japan. Tom Fazio is going to be making improvements to the layout of key holes.

    Reply Report comment

  12. Messico Smizzle

    Aug 14, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    Awesome tournament and awesome finish. Great job Rio.

    Reply Report comment

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