We first learned how cool it would be to have women and men professional golfers play the same course in 2014. That was the year that the Women’s and Men’s US Open tournaments were held over consecutive weeks, on the Pinehurst #2 course. We again saw it in 2016 at the Rio Olympics, and again in 2021, at the 2020 Japan Olympics. We are back for round three (intentional pun) at Paris, but there’s a twist.

The Le Golf National course is a known commodity for the dude pros. They’ve played it annually on the DP World Tour for some time, and featured a Ryder Cup there in 2018. For the women, it is an unopened gift…at least, it was until today. The 18th hole plays to a different par (5 vs. 4) for the women, but that’s the only difference beyond yardage adjustments. With that knowledge in hand, let’s proceed to the five things that we learned today at round one of the the Women’s Paris 2024 Olympic golf competition.

Nelly Korda hits an excellent approach to set up birdie on 13. ???

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/TqCSq7QSUt

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024

1. Stayin’ Alive

We’re going to go with a Bee Gees theme today, for absolutely no reason. Some golfers showed up with the jitters and the nervies, and didn’t feature their best golf. The least fortunate was Charley Hull, who opened with a double bogey at the first, lost her focus, and finished on 81. That placed her 16 strokes behind the day-one leader.

If you look at par figures, those who posted 72 include Rose Zhang and Nelly Korda from the USA, Lydia Ko from New Zealand, and Aditi Ashok from India. Four of the world’s top players didn’t have their “A” games on Wednesday, but they ground out a number that doesn’t disqualify them from future consideration. They’ll need a pair of mid-60s rounds over the next three days to reach the podium, and all are capable of such excellence.

Rose Zhang birdies the 9th to get back to even par. ?

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/Gk6EkhymcF

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024

2. Immortality

A lesser-known tune from the Australian disco trio, immortality beckons for the lesser-known golfers in the field. There are plenty of known names in the top dozen through 18 holes, but it’s the quiet names that gather our attention. The Mariajo Uribes, the Morgane Metraux, and the Celine Borges. Can they keep the momentum alive through another three rounds? Can they use nationalistic pride as a vibe, and not as a detriment? We shall see, as the coming 54 holes play out. If you ask me to pick one unknown name in the top twenty, that catches my eye, I’ll nominate Diksha Dagar of India. Come along!

Peiyun Chien holes out for EAGLE from 125 yards! ??

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/D8UQ7KF4o5

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024

3. You should be dancing

Lilia Vu did some very odd things on Wednesday. She made bogey at the 9th and the 18th, both of which are easy gets for birdie. She also had a third bogey at the 16th hole, where she raced a fring putt six feet past, then failed to convert for par. Beyond those three oopsies, Vu was rock solid. She posted five birdies on the day, and twice reached four-deep. Unfortunately, each time she arrived at minus-four station, she made an immediate bogey. Something to watch on Thursday, for sure.

Lilia Vu rolls in her third straight birdie to take the solo lead. ???

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/BhYUafHsaF

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024

4. Tragedy

I have a sneaking suspicion that the 18th hole will provide more tragedy than triumph. I hope that I’m proven incorrect. The fairway cants toward the eau on the left, and the right side is protected by sand and quite-tall grass. The big fear with the recovery chop-out is sending it too far, into the water. On Wednesday, Dagar and Vu made bogey at the watery closer, while a number of the contenders made birdie. Le Golf National is EuroWood perfect for a dramatic ending, so pop some corn and tuck in to your sofa. It’s go-time!

Brooke Henderson for EAGLE to cap off her Olympic first round! ???

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/8R5zcnburO

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024

5. How deep is your love

… for your home country? For Celine Boutier, it runs as deep as spiritually possible. No other way to define an opening-day 65, a seven-under par masterpiece that probably belongs in the Louvre. Boutier made birdie from all over the place, and overcame a solitary bogey at the 12th with eight of the flighted creatures. Boutier is a top-five golfer worldwide, and she won’t go away. It will be the task of the chasers to track her down.

Celine Boutier CHIPS IN for birdie and a three-shot lead! ???

? Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/h56lUSalPC

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 7, 2024