Skip to navigation Skip to main content

2020 Olympics

Latest Articles

Korda Wins Gold, Japan’s Inami Silver At The Women’s Olympic Golf Competition

The final day of the women's golf competition at the Tokyo Olympics was held at the Kasumigaseki Country Club on Saturday where Nelly Korda (USA) ranked No.1 in the world took the gold with a dominating performance, finishing at 17 under par.

Japanese Mone Inami became the first Japanese golfer to win an Olympic medal, capturing silver in a playoff over New Zealand's Lydia Ko. Starting the day 5 back, she played aggressively and carded a 65 with 9 birdies and 3 bogies, for joint second at -16.

The 1st play off hole was the difficult 18th, which Inami saved par, while Ko missed her par putt, and the game was settled. On the JLPGA tour, Inami is 3 for 3 in playoffs, and was able to draw on that experience to produce a historic scene.

Elsewhere in the field, Japan...

CHINA’S LIN AND FENG EYE STRONG FINISH AT OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 WOMEN’S GOLF

China’s Xiyu Lin cut a frustrated figure at Tokyo 2020 women’s golf competition following Friday’s third round, but believes she is due for a bucket of birdies in her bid for an Olympic Games medal.

The 25-year-old Lin laboured to a 2-under 69 at Kasumigaseki Country Club’s East Course to stay within three shots of a podium finish in tied 10th place alongside compatriot Shanshan Feng, the bronze medallist from Rio 2016, who fired a 68 for a 7-under 206 total.

American World No. 1 Nelly Korda remained on track for the gold medal where a third-round 69 sees her taking a three-shot lead into the final round on 15-under over India’s Aditi Ashok, who carded a 68. Japan’s Mone Inami, Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark, Australian Hannah Green and New Zealander Lydio Ko, the...

India's Aditi Enjoys Fast Start As She Chases Olympic Medal

Five years ago, Aditi Ashok was a wide-eyed teenager enjoying her time amongst the giants of sports and being the youngest competitor in the women’s golf competition at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

Fast forward to Tokyo 2020, the Indian lass has made it clear of her intention to stamp her mark at Kasumigaseki Country Club, and challenge for an historic medal for her country.

The 23-year-old Ashok fired a stellar 4-under 67 in Wednesday’s first round played under hot and humid conditions to lie one shot behind leader Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden. She is tied for second with American star Nelly Korda, with three others a further shot back.

“Last time I think it was more just enjoying the experience and staying at the (Olympic) Village, seeing all the other...

Chinese Taipei's CT Pan Savors Historic Olympic Medal With Wife Michelle

C.T. Pan enjoyed a slice of Olympic history by winning Chinese Taipei’s first-ever bronze medal in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition on Sunday and it was extra special with wife, Michelle by his side.

The 29-year-old Pan, who is a former double gold medal winner in the Asian Games, was the last man standing following a pulsating seven-way play-off for the bronze at Kasumigaseki Country Club which included Collin Morikawa of the U.S., Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Great Britain’s Paul Casey, Mito Pereira of Chile, Colombian Sebastian Munoz and home hero Hideki Matsuyama.

After four extra holes, Pan, who had Michelle on caddying duties this week, prevailed over two-time major champion Morikawa with a par on the 18th hole. American Xander Schauffele won the...

Schauffele staves off Sabbatini’s record round to win gold; CT Pan wins bronze

While one swing by American Xander Schauffele nearly changed the dynamics of the men’s golf tournament Sunday at Kasumigaseki Country Club, it was the 61 strokes of eventual silver medalist Rory Sabbatini, representing Slovakia, that really shook the leaderboard and the chase for Olympic gold.

Schauffele ultimately emerged the winner on this hot, sunny day, clinching his golden moment with one final, gutsy par-save on the final hole for a 4-under par 67 and 18-under total. But it took the mental resilience he said came by way of his upbringing, fostered by a father of German-French descent and Chinese Taipei mother who was raised in Japan. Consider it a respectful nod to the culture of the host country, where his grandparents still live.

“I felt like for the most part...

Matsuyama Devastated After Near Miss At Olympics

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama was heartbroken after missing out on a medal for his country at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition on Sunday.

The reigning Masters champion agonizingly lost in a seven-way playoff for the bronze medal after an enthralling final day at Kasumigaseki Country Club. He had a birdie chance on the 18th hole during regulation play to secure a podium finish but made par instead for a closing 2-under-69 and 15-under 269 total.

He then made bogey on the first sudden-death hole to bow out of the competition, which concluded with the gold medal going to American Xander Schauffele who won on 18-under 266 while Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia earned silver after shooting a stunning Olympic record of 10-under 61 saw him finish one stroke back....

Thailand's Jazz Leads Asian Charge With Glorious 64 In Olympics Men's Competition

TOKYO, (July 29, 2021): Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond led the Asian charge at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition with a stunning 7-under 64 to lie one behind surprise leader Sepp Straka of Austria on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Olympics debutant was flawless at the historic Kasumigaseki Country Club’s East course, firing seven birdies on the card against no bogeys as he began his quest for a medal on the right note against a star-studded line-up.

Filipino Juvic Pagunsan carded a 66 for a share of fifth place while Anirban Lahiri of India shot a 67 for tied eighth as the Asian trio ensured a strong presence on the leaderboard. Home hero and reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan opened with a 69.

Growing up, the slender Jazz dreamt...

Matsuyama Ready To Begin Gold Medal Request At Fabled Kasumigaseki

Tokyo, July 25: Home hero Hideki Matsuyama “can’t wait” to launch his quest for a prized gold medal for Japan when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition gets underway on Thursday.

Matsuyama, 29, was in a relaxed mood as he took time out from his preparation at Kasumigaseki Country Club on Sunday to pose for team photos with fellow male compatriot Rikuya Hoshino, and the Japanese women’s duo of Nasa Hataoka and Mone Inami.

Standing in front of the famous Olympic rings at the fabled venue, the six-time PGA TOUR winner will carry his nation’s golden hopes just three months after securing his historic Masters Tournament triumph where he became the first male major winner from Japan.

“Finally, the Olympic Games will begin soon. I will brace myself and I...

DeChambeau Tests Positive For Covid 19, Replaced By Reed Statement on behalf of USA Golf

Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19, as part of the final testing protocol before he left the United States for the Olympics 2020 in Japan. He will be unable to compete for Team USA.

Patrick Reed will replace DeChambeau and is undergoing the requisite testing protocol today, Sunday and Monday before departing for Japan. The first round of competition is Thursday, July 29 (local time). Reed is now the only two-time Olympian for the men’s competition, as he played for Team USA in 2016 and will now compete in the 2020 Olympics.

Representing Team USA Golf now includes Patrick Reed plus Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele in the men’s competition, and Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and Jessica Korda in the women’s competition.

“...

The Lighter Side of Matsuyama As He Looks To Turn Green To Gold At The Olympics

July 23: Behind the trademark wraparound shades, Hideki Matsuyama portrays himself as a man of mystery and of few words.

When the Japanese star is inside the ropes battling on the PGA TOUR, his concentration is 100 percent as he seeks golf immortality and perfection, by way of him being amongst a very select few who would labour on the practice range from dawn to dusk.

The 29-year-old, who is Japan’s golden hope in the men’s golf competition in the Tokyo Olympics, understands his duty and responsibility to his army of fans and nation that he regularly conducts interviews with a throng of Japanese media after every round, irrespective of whether he had just shot a 66 or 75 so that news of his progress will be shared at home.

Even then, Matsuyama keeps his cards...

Olympic Golf Reflections From Past Medalists

Justin Rose speaks with a golden glint in his eye whenever the topic turns over to the Olympic Games.

In 2016, Rose, representing Team Great Britain, claimed a much-coveted gold medal in Rio de Janeiro as golf made a welcome return to the Olympics following a 112-year lapse, edging Sweden’s Henrik Stenson by two shots following a memorable final day duel.

Matt Kuchar took the bronze for Team USA after rallying with a closing 63 and shed a tear on the podium which signified the enormity of the moment, not just for himself but for the game of golf in the larger scheme of things.

With the Tokyo Olympics around the corner following a one-year delay due to COVID-19, all eyes will be on golf’s superstars, both men and women, to deliver another rousing show to cement...

Collin Morikawa Wins British Open Ahead of The Tokyo Olympics

Collin Morikawa held a resurgent Jordan Spieth in an impressive victory for his second major and first Open Championship. Morikawa's final round 66 secured his second major title (his first being the 2020 PGA Championship) in his eighth major championship appearance, becoming the first player to win two different majors at the first attempt. He also joins Tiger Woods as the only player to win The Open and PGA Championship before age 25, and he joins the likes of Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth as players with multiple major wins before age 25 in the last 100 years.

Morikawa earns a fifth PGA TOUR title and moves to No. 1 in the FedExCup and No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking. He leaves the UK today bound...

More on Air

What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty...