Olympics Golf: The Official Discussion Thread (merged)

[braincramp52]

[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.

[cantoswede]

[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438904642' post='12092582']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.
[/quote]

Source? I highly doubt only 25-33 million watch the Olympics. The World Cup final blows the Super Bowl numbers away so I would think the Olympics does better then what you've stated.

[gmzbball]

Adam Scott had it right, just an exhibition.

[Seamus_McDuff]

[quote name='steelrat' timestamp='1438897403' post='12091978']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438871897' post='12089278']
So I put together an excel sheet with the stupid rules set forth on who can qualify and it came up with this field. i did this a week or so ago so the OWGR has changed but this is as good as it gets, what a weak field.

The Field:
[url="http://i.imgur.com/BLrh4BX.jpg"]http://i.imgur.com/BLrh4BX.jpg[/url]

Out of the 60 competing the average OWGR is 69, 30 of the top 60 in the world is excluded from playing.

I can really see only 12 people winning this and 20 or so with a chance at a medal.
[/quote]

Scotland and Wales are part of the Gb so Warren and Donaldson won't qualify. Gmac and Rory could also play for GB but i believe they have chosen to play for Ireland.
[/quote]

That list also has four from Australia. They only get two in right now.

[braincramp52]

[quote name='cantoswede' timestamp='1438905022' post='12092622']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438904642' post='12092582']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.
[/quote]

Source? I highly doubt only 25-33 million watch the Olympics. The World Cup final blows the Super Bowl numbers away so I would think the Olympics does better then what you've stated.
[/quote]

Google. Might have been a opening ceremony number. Really don't care enough to research more.

[seajohn]

[quote name='NoTalentLefty' timestamp='1438819294' post='12086046']
Pro or amateur, I can't get excited. We already have the best format, the majors. There is no I in team but there is an m and an e and that spells me.
[/quote]

Exactly. That's why nobody wants to play in the Ryder cup and they can't get any spectators to watch.

[Dave230]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1438871352' post='12089210']
[quote name='Dave230' timestamp='1438848159' post='12087964']
I'm excited because Rory offers a genuine chance of a gold medal, which doesn't happen too often in our history.
[/quote]

What's Michelle Smith up to these days?

[size=3]Says someone from the country Ben Johnson ran for.[/size]
[/quote]

She's actually a lawyer I think, still maintains her innocence but you don't tamper with the sample then!

I have no problem with the field being 'weak' because all the top players aren't there. I think that's will give it a unique flavour, the fact that Brazil, Colombia, Mexico etc all have players there, players that really want to win for their country. Won't be long until Rickie Fowler is holing a few putts that a few of you will be going 'USA, USA' no doubt. It's kinda like American basketball team in the Olympics, they could field several teams but it's up to the guys that are chosen to show that they're the best. Pity it wasn't more team-orientated though rather than the flat-out individual competition.

But the fact that there will be no more Olympic golf for four years should add to its appeal as well.

Still think it should have been amateurs playing but what can you do.

[NoTalentLefty]

[quote name='seajohn' timestamp='1438907701' post='12092902'][quote name='NoTalentLefty' timestamp='1438819294' post='12086046']
Pro or amateur, I can't get excited. We already have the best format, the majors. There is no I in team but there is an m and an e and that spells me.
[/quote]

Exactly. That's why nobody wants to play in the Ryder cup and they can't get any spectators to watch. [/quote]

Good comeback. Ryder cup is a great event. Olympics is filled with corruption though.

[cantoswede]

[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438907134' post='12092840']
[quote name='cantoswede' timestamp='1438905022' post='12092622']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438904642' post='12092582']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.
[/quote]

Source? I highly doubt only 25-33 million watch the Olympics. The World Cup final blows the Super Bowl numbers away so I would think the Olympics does better then what you've stated.
[/quote]

Google. Might have been a opening ceremony number. Really don't care enough to research more.
[/quote]

900 million viewers watched the opening ceremonies in 2012.

I'm not trying to be a dick but use google yourself next time before stating it's not a big deal.

[PGArox]

[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438907134' post='12092840']
[quote name='cantoswede' timestamp='1438905022' post='12092622']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438904642' post='12092582']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.
[/quote]

Source? I highly doubt only 25-33 million watch the Olympics. The World Cup final blows the Super Bowl numbers away so I would think the Olympics does better then what you've stated.
[/quote]

Google. Might have been a opening ceremony number. Really don't care enough to research more.
[/quote]

Apparently, nearly 220 million Americans watched at least a part of the 2012 London Games, making it the most watched event in American TV history. You have to think the Olympics are HUGE worldwide.

[Hawkeye77]

Sochi = 4.1 billion viewers worldwide.

[bscinstnct]

Olympics, Jerry!

https://youtu.be/TNU90DQn5lw

[NoTalentLefty]

Jenner is moving to a new cereal box


[attachment=2894276:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1438920742.288516.jpg]

[xxio]

Golden Slam. 4majors+ Olympic gold.

Something Jack and Tiger (unless he begs to be sent and actually plays well) will never have.

That should be enough to motivate the younger guys to play.

[Afraid2goLow]

Haha are people seriously saying the olympics arent a big deal because they dont do Super Bowl numbers? What a joke. Tell me what ratings the John Deere classic got this year? 3 mil tops. Pretty sure there will be a lot more watching the olympic golf tournament than any other tournament outside the masters.

[Seamus_McDuff]

[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438968537' post='12096472']
Pretty sure there will be a lot more watching the olympic golf tournament than any other tournament outside the masters.
[/quote]

That depends on which channel NBC decides to put golf on. Are they going to tie up NBC for four hours on Saturday and Sunday with golf or put it on a cable channel like NBCSports/MSNBC/Golf Channel? Their history is to not use NBC for that large of a block on a single sport.

[teejaywhy]

Agree with the others, 72-hole stroke play tournament with pro golfers = lame.

I think a team matchplay type event would be far more interesting.

[PGArox]

[quote name='xxio' timestamp='1438944118' post='12094566']
Golden Slam. 4majors+ Olympic gold.

Something Jack and Tiger (unless he begs to be sent and actually plays well) will never have.

That should be enough to motivate the younger guys to play.
[/quote]

Now that you put it this way ...

[billh17]

the same guys we see every week...playing each other...again....only now we are supposed to think they
are there playing for their country? as a lot of pros leave their Florida homes,and go to Rio and play for
another country..then return home to Florida,and brag about the medal they won for England/Scotland/Australia
or however many others...lol...not interested in the least,and will not watch.
Amateurs would be great.
The current format,not so much.

[widow-maker]

It'll be a big deal to the guy that ends up with a gold medal.

[seajohn]

[quote name='cantoswede' timestamp='1438914709' post='12093544']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438907134' post='12092840']
[quote name='cantoswede' timestamp='1438905022' post='12092622']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1438904642' post='12092582']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438886672' post='12090838']
Love everyone acting like the olympics arent a big deal, when they are on there is nothing bigger in sports, stop acting like such a hardo are you really going to watch the Deere (without Spieth) over a tournament where Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Rickie and Bubba are fighting for a prize that no golfer has ever won. Give me a break the final round of this is going to be electric.
[/quote]

Considering they only pull in 25-32 million viewers worldwide and the last superbowl had 113 million, it isn't that big of a deal.
[/quote]

Source? I highly doubt only 25-33 million watch the Olympics. The World Cup final blows the Super Bowl numbers away so I would think the Olympics does better then what you've stated.
[/quote]

Google. Might have been a opening ceremony number. Really don't care enough to research more.
[/quote]

900 million viewers watched the opening ceremonies in 2012.

I'm not trying to be a dick but use google yourself next time before stating it's not a big deal.
[/quote]

Yep, the estimated 25-32 million number is for the US only, as is the 113 million. Of course, the 25-32 million is per day, and the Olympics span 17 full days compared to the 3 plus hours for a Superbowl. Worldwide estimates for the last Superbowl was only about 160 million so American football remains primarily a home grown sport.

[Dave230]

McIlroy gold, Lowry silver I think.

[marmooskapaul]

I haven't watched the olympics for errr...15 years?? Adding golf won't make me watch either..the olympics are for people who don't watch sports...normally. That and all the smaller countries...where it is a big deal. My wife will watch though...lol

As a comparison...I usually watch most of the tennis majors...I don't recall watching much/any tennis in the olympics?? Have no idea who has won...gold..silver??

It will be a big achievement for some players...especially from smaller countries..with less of a golf history. I'll just read about it on the interweb after it's over.
Paul

[zer0]

Was very excited till I saw the format. Format will ruin this event. They should've had a team event and then an individual event that combined stroke play followed by single elimination match play till you had a gold medal winner. That would've been awesome.

[carrier street]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1438877162' post='12089866']Surely Golf Channel/NBC is missing a huge tie-in opportunity of creating a reality show that tracks the two Brazilian golfers who will compete.
The Quest to Break 80 in 2016.[/quote]

I retract my earlier statement. I am now INCREDIBLY interested. It never occurred to me that since there are only two players from each country, somebody is going to shoot 90+ in this thing and it will be AMAZING.

[ThominOH]

[quote name='Seamus McDuff' timestamp='1438971438' post='12096746']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438968537' post='12096472']
Pretty sure there will be a lot more watching the olympic golf tournament than any other tournament outside the masters.
[/quote]

That depends on which channel NBC decides to put golf on. Are they going to tie up NBC for four hours on Saturday and Sunday with golf or put it on a cable channel like NBCSports/MSNBC/Golf Channel? Their history is to not use NBC for that large of a block on a single sport.
[/quote]

That too is a great point why I believe olympic golf needs to be different then the 4 hour long, 4 day long stroke play.. It requires huge blocks of "TV TIME", which just won't happen.. I would love it if the Olympics find a way to condense worthy play into a 2 or 3 hour window..

[Handfull]

I will be very interested in Olympic golf. Want to see the course and how it plays, and see a bunch of golfers I have never seen before. I'm totally hyped to see this.... Just not interested right now. Damm you golf channel. Not drinking your warm, frothy Olympic horse piss right now. I swear punching Gary Williams never sounded more rewarding then that day last week. I hate media driven hype.

[duffer987]

[quote name='ThominOH' timestamp='1439283271' post='12115240']
[quote name='Seamus McDuff' timestamp='1438971438' post='12096746']
[quote name='Afraid2goLow' timestamp='1438968537' post='12096472']
Pretty sure there will be a lot more watching the olympic golf tournament than any other tournament outside the masters.
[/quote]

That depends on which channel NBC decides to put golf on. Are they going to tie up NBC for four hours on Saturday and Sunday with golf or put it on a cable channel like NBCSports/MSNBC/Golf Channel? Their history is to not use NBC for that large of a block on a single sport.
[/quote]

That too is a great point why I believe olympic golf needs to be different then the 4 hour long, 4 day long stroke play.. It requires huge blocks of "TV TIME", which just won't happen.. I would love it if the Olympics find a way to condense worthy play into a 2 or 3 hour window..
[/quote]

A foursomes/two-ball competition is golf's most 'teamy' format and it should also be the quickest to play.
They've already introduced screwy entry requirements to ensure it's not loads of US men and South Korean women, so simply add another component to ensure to you have even numbers per country competing.

It also increases the number of medals awarded from 6 to 12.
It's unlikely anyone who is not a golfist is going to bother tuning in, so why not mix it up instead of having a watered down stroke play event.

[Halebopp]

Man, there's some misinformation in this thread and I doubt there's much that can be done to change the point of view of others' but for me the Olympic golf is right up there with the majors and the Ryder Cup. It is a shame thought it isn't a match play event (preferably with a group stage) and there's no team event (2 men, 2 ladies).

The official list of male golfers getting into the Olympics can be found here

http://www.igfgolf.org/olympic-games/ogr-men/

and the ladies are here:

http://www.igfgolf.org/olympic-games/ogr-women/

[hksaikung]

The course was finalized this week

 

http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/olimpiadas/rio2016/noticia/2015/11/paes-entrega-campo-de-golfe-dos-jogos-olimpicos-2016.html

 

 

extract from the Brazilian TV news

 

http://www84.zippyshare.com/v/09KZpUMq/file.html