Special Day for Women's Golf Olympic Return

(ATR) Crowds were modest, but there was a special atmosphere in the air as sixty ladies from 35 countries played the first round of women's Olympic golf in 116 years.

It was a grand showcase for the ladies' game to shine and for the smaller golf countries like Morocco, Malaysia and Paraguay among others, also a bright day in the sun.

The female golfers said everything about Wednesday’s first round was special, so much so that they didn’t mind competing on a sweltering afternoon in which temperatures rose to thirty degrees Celsius. The links-style Reserva de Marapendi course has few trees and offers little shade.

"It’s a historic day – it’s very special to be in the first Olympics in golf in 116-years," said Alejandra Llaneza of Mexico. "When I got here, I got goose bumps because I was so excited."

"It’s great to be here and be part of history," said Maha Haddioui of Morocco, who was a late addition to the Olympic field. "There are no professional golfers from the Arab world, let alone Morocco and I hope young girls in those countries say if Maha did it, I can do it too."

Fabienne In-Albon of Switzerland admitted that she felt butterflies while on the first tee this morning.

"I said to the Brazilian girl Victoria [Lovelady] it’s just another tournament, we’re not playing for money and yet I’m so nervous," In-Albon said. "It’s very special."

Representing the host country are Victoria Lovelady and Miriam Nagl. Nagl had the honor of hitting the tournament’s first ball at 7:30am. Although she didn’t have her best round, Lovelady said playing Olympic golf in her native country was a dream come true.

"I was really emotional – I had to control myself not to cry out of joy," Lovelady said about stepping up to the first tee. "I was really touched by the moment. It was tough in the first three holes for me, but then I was able to stabilize emotionally and make two birdies back to back.

We have 54 holes to play and now the emotions are behind me and I can focus on golf," said the proud Brazilian golfer.

Thailand Leader in the Clubhouse

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, 20, claimed the first round lead, firing a six-under-par 65. She is aiming to become her country's first Olympic gold medalist not in weightlifting or boxing.

"It would mean a lot – the only thing I want to do is make Thailand proud," Jutanugarn said following her first round, which included a double bogey on the fourth hole, followed by an eagle on five.

Koreans Inbee Park and Seiyoung Kim lie one shot behind Jutanugarn after 18 of 72 holes. Park said the Olympic experience conjured a very different feeling than other tournaments while standing on the par five, first tee.

"It actually made us a lot more nervous – it’s very exciting to have the national flag on your chest and to be able to represent South Korea is something very special," Park said.

"I think this can be the highlight of my career," said the seven-time major tournament champion.

Park addressed the pressure that she and her three teammates must cope with as some Korean golf fans and journalists are calling for a medals sweep.

"I think being a Korean women you always have this kind of pressure on your shoulders," Park said. "It’s hard, we play 30 events a year and it isn’t often when Korean golfers finish 1-2-3, so being able to do that at the Olympics in Rio, obviously it’s going to be something very hard to do."

World ranked number one Lydia Ko, 19, had an enthusiastic following of Kiwi supporters, including a duo of silver medal winning rowers.

After making two bogeys on the first four holes, Ko regained her composure and finished with a two-under round of 69, four shots off the lead.

Click here for photos of the Women's Olympic Golf Tournament.

Written by Brian Pinelli at Reserva De Marapendi.

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