Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The International Golf Federation has announced the draw for the first and second rounds of the Women’s Golf Competition at Rio 2016.

Brazil’s Miriam Nagl will represent the host nation as she tees off beside Ireland’s Leona Maguire and Malaysia’s Kelly Tan in the first group at 7:30 a.m. local time. They will make history as the Women’s Golf event returns to the Olympic Games following a 116-year hiatus.

American Margaret Abbott took home the Olympic Women’s Golf title when the event was last included in the Olympics at the 1900 Games in Paris.

World No. 3 Brooke Henderson will tee off first for the Canadian contingent at 9:14 a.m. alongside two-time major champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway and World No. 4 Lexi Thompson of the United States. Henderson has put together a strong 2016 season with two wins on the LPGA Tour, and is eyeing a podium spot at her first Olympic Games.

Fellow Canadian Alena Sharp will take to the course at 10:25 a.m. with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Shanshan Feng of China.

An interview with Canada’s Alena Sharp – LISTEN

A full listing of the draw, which includes Wednesday and Thursday tee times, can be found here.

Despite battling an injured thumb, former World No. 1 Inbee Park of Korea will compete against the field of 60 alongside Spain’s Azahara Munoz and American Gerina Piller at 9:03 a.m.

Ariya Jutanugarn became the first golfer from Thailand to claim a major title when she emerged victorious at the 2016 RICOH Women’s British Open Championship, and will look to make more history in Rio. The second ranked Jutanugarn will tee off at 10:58 a.m. with Stacy Lewis of the United States and Korea’s Sei Young Kim.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko will headline the final group of Wednesday’s opening round. The New Zealand native will tee off at 11:09 a.m. in the company of Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, and Charley Hull of Great Britain.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – It took 112 years for golf to find a new Olympic champion, but it was well worth the wait.  Great Britain’s Justin Rose followed in the footsteps of the long-departed George Lyon of Canada when he climbed onto the podium to collect the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

On a sun-drenched final day, in front of a sell-out crowd of 12,000 at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course, Rose added the Olympic crown to his 2013 US Open title after a prolonged and exciting battle down the stretch with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

In the end, the packed grandstand which turned the 18th arena into a noisy sporting amphitheatre, watched spellbound as Rose got up-and-down from the side of the green for the birdie which sealed a worthy gold medal performance.

Stenson, who knew he needed to hole a 25-footer of his own to force a play-off, three-putted and the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 had a new champion.

Stenson, who emerged on top after a similarly epic shoot-out with Phil Mickelson in The Open at Royal Troon last night, had to accept second place this time and the silver medal was a deserving reward for his part in a wonderful spectacle which saw Matt Kuchar of the United States claim the bronze medal after a course record-equalling last round of 63.

Rose finished with four rounds in the sixties and his closing 67 secured the gold medal with a 16-under-par total of 268. Stenson took silver with a fourth-round 68 for 270 and Kuchar’s swashbuckling last day brought home the remaining medal on 271.

The leading three players completed the 72-hole test detached from the rest of the field, in which Belgium’s Thomas Pieters finished a highly creditable fourth after slicing 12 shots off his third-round 77 with a final day 65.

After holing out for a birdie four on the 18^th, Rose punched the air in celebration and fell into the arms of his wife, Kate, before savouring the medal ceremony as the Olympic golf champion.

“Olympic gold medalist – It sounds absolutely incredible,” said the 36-year-old.  “I was on that last green, just sort of pinching myself and taking myself back to the quote that I had given about the Olympics all along – that I hoped my resumé one day read: ‘multiple major champion and Olympic gold medalist’ and if that happened then I’d be a very, very happy man.  I pretty much just need the multiple major now, but for the most part, I’m there on that quote.

“The whole week, I’ve been so focused, really, to be honest with you.  I’ve been so into it.  I’ve been so up for it.  I’ve been just so determined, I suppose, to represent Team GB as best as I could, and it was just the most magical week, it really was.”

The final round in Rio delivered the anticipated head-to-head between two outstanding major champions. And both men held a narrow lead at different times as they exchanged birdies.

It seemed that Stenson might repeat his Open victory at Royal Troon when he edged in front due to a Rose bogey at the 13^th, but he handed back the initiative to the Englishman when he bogeyed the 14^th and Rose knocked in an eight-footer for birdie on the 15^th.

Despite both men missing the green at the last, it was Stenson who blinked first, hitting a weak chip to 25 feet while Rose struck a deft chip close to the hole for a cast-iron birdie four.

Stenson recognised the quality of the golf on display on the final day and admitted: “When you’re in good position to try and win, you always kind of feel a little disappointed afterwards.  But at the same time, we said that all along in the Olympics, you’ve got some pretty good consolation prizes.

“I guess if you would have asked me before the week that I would leave here with a medal, I would have been pretty pleased and I managed to do that.  I’m quite happy, I didn’t feel like I played my absolute best throughout the week but I played good enough to put myself in contention and that was my goal.  Once I was up there, I played pretty well but I needed to play one or two shots better to win it today.”

Rose paid tribute to his rival and friend by saying: “I just said today that I had to out‑Stenson Stenson.  I knew I wasn’t going to get much from him at all.  Obviously the bogey at the last only came because he had to force the putt in.

“But he is unbelievable.  He’s relentless and a great player, and I can’t wait to be on the same team as him in The Ryder Cup.  He’s a great player and he’s a great friend, and I just gave him a hug on the 18th green and he was as gracious as ever. I just said to him, ‘Great summer – winning The Open Championship’, I was so pleased for him.  There are very few guys are you really genuinely, genuinely happy for, and Henrik is one of them.”

Bronze medalist Kuchar just came up short, despite equaling the record 63 set by Australian Marcus Fraser on Thursday. Had he not three putted the 16^th and failed to birdie the 18^th, he might just have grabbed another colour of medal.

The American Ryder Cup player said: “It’s just an amazing week. It’s a boyhood dream come true. I keep expressing the feeling of sheer pride.  I knew when I was out there playing that I was in third place.  I certainly didn’t want to lose that but also wanted to keep pushing forward.

“While I was out there, playing that back nine, the sense of being an Olympic medalist really hit me.  There were times I kind of had to back off a few times and regather my thoughts and composure to make sure I try to continue to hit good shots and keep making birdies.”

Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar Interview: Transcript

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., collected two birdies and an eagle through the day en route to a final-round 69. The 34-year-old carded a 4-under 280 tournament total to claim sole possession of 20th.

Graham DeLaet Interview: Audio

Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn recorded six birdies on a 5-under day to secure his share of 30th at 1-under 283.

David Hearn Interview: Audio

Springfield, Mo. – Canadian Mackenzie Hughes outlasted the field Sunday afternoon in Springfield to earn his first Web.com Tour victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.

The 25-year-old Team Canada Young Pro Squad member birdied the 72nd hole, fired a final-round 6-under-par 66 and posted 24-under-par 264 to finish one clear of Richy Werenski (66).

“This is the hardest day of my life,” said Hughes, who earned $121,500 for his effort at Highland Springs Country Club. “I’m so proud of the way I hung in there. I had to dig so deep. The thoughts were going crazy in my head.”

“Trying to quiet that down was the greatest challenge I’ve had in my life.” continued Hughes. “I kid you not, there were so many times I thought about the outcome and what it could mean to my family and everything like that. I had to bring myself back so many time. I just wanted to get across the line and it feels so good.”

Hughes moves from No. 88 to No. 14 on the money list virtually assured of securing one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards awarded at the conclusion of the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft Heinz.

“That’s silly talk right there,” said Hughes, who was endanger of heading back to Q School before his victory in Springfield. “PGA TOUR? Let’s go. It’s exciting.”

Hughes knows what it takes to win. He took home the trophy at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic in 2013 on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada. The Hamilton, Ontario native also finished No. 1 on the Order of Merit and earned Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year honors that year.

Werenski did his best to force overtime. He eagled the final hole and posted 23-under which tied Hughes for the lead.

Hughes opted to layup on the par-5 and was left with 108 yards for his third. He stuffed his approach to within a foot of the hole to answer Werenski’s effort.

“That is the moment of my career so far,” said Hughes. “There were some moments where I need to hit a shot and I needed to make a putt.”

Before his victory on Sunday Hughes’ plans were to try and regain his Tour card through Q School in December. The former Kent State University standout is also getting married to his fiancé Jenna Shaw on October 22nd and wasn’t sure when the two would be able to go on their honeymoon this fall before his maiden Tour win.

“When I think about what it means and everything that comes with this win, it just blows my mind,” Hughes said.

A 2-under day landed Hughes’ Young Pro Squad teammate Albin Choi of Toronto in a tie for 22nd at 14-under, while Langley, B.C., natvie Adam Cornelson finished the event T71.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Golf will crown its first Olympic champion for 112 years in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow, and all indications are that the sport will witness an epic battle for the medals at Reserva de Marapendi as Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Marcus Fraser go for gold.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, delivered a brilliant third round 65 to take a one-shot lead over Stenson, the reigning Open champion, in front of large and enthusiastic crowds in the Rio sunshine, many of whom might have been unfamiliar with the high quality of golf served up by the leading players.

Rose tees off last tomorrow standing at 201, 12-under-par, with Stenson’s hard-working 68 earning his second place total of 202. Fraser, who opened the competition with a course record 63 on Thursday, dug in hard to shoot a round of 72 for third place on 204. The highly motivated trio all have the glint of gold in their eye going into the home stretch of an absorbing Olympic contest.

Once again, Stenson is in contention when the big prizes are handed out. The Swede goes into the last round in second place, one stroke behind another major champion in Great Britain’s Rose, with Australian Fraser close behind.

However, the race for the gold, silver and bronze could run well beyond the final group. Major champions Bubba Watson of the United States (207) and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (208) will be chasing a low score to post a clubhouse target to test the leaders as the quest for gold intensifies.

Rose, who bagged eagles at the third and fifth holes to soar to the top of the leaderboard, admitted it “felt great” to be in the gold medal position going into the final round.

He added: “Obviously I felt like today was an important day.  There were a lot of players in contention after yesterday and I felt like today could be a day to separate or at least keep some momentum and not give myself too much work to do tomorrow.  Obviously, this tournament has been very, very special and very, very different for all of us.”

Saturday is traditionally ‘moving day’ and that was very much in evidence in Rio. Rickie Fowler of the United States set the tone earlier in the day with a seven-under-par 64, the second lowest of the week, to climb 36 places into a tie for 14^th on 210. Another low score could earn Fowler a tilt at the minor medals while his compatriot, Watson, is very much in the shake-up after a second successive 67.

Harrington matched Watson’s 67 to sit on the coat-tails of the leaders on 208 while a 66 put Finland’s Mikko Ilonen into the mix, also on 208.

Graham DeLaet carded six bogeys through the day en route to a third-round 74. The product of Weyburn, Sask., is 2-under after three days of competition and will enter the final round in a four-way tie for 22nd.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., matched DeLaet’s 74 to claim a share of 44th at 4-over.

David Hearn Interview: Audio

Stenson, who admitted that his busy summer of contending for majors had tested his mental reserves of energy, is being kept company in the medal hunt by his fellow Swede, David Lingmerth, whose 68 for 207 propelled him ten places up the leaderboard and into the penultimate group alongside Watson and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (68-207).

Stenson insisted he is fully focused on winning the gold medal and commented: “In my mind, we’re still going for one thing – gold.  Even though the consolation prizes might be better here than some other events in a way, it’s still the No. 1 spot that I’m looking for and I’m going to try my hardest to make that happen.  It’s been a long and tiring stretch for me the last month, so I’m just going to try and squeeze whatever I have left in the tank for the final 18 holes.”

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Australian Marcus Fraser gazed down on a formidable league of nations who ganged up behind him as the first Olympic Games golf competition for 112 years promised to turn into an epic medal shoot-out in Rio de Janeiro this weekend.

Fraser, the first round leader after an opening 63, followed that up with a solid two-under-par 69 to lead the 60-strong field at 10-under.

Now the man from Melbourne can expect a strong challenge from a slew of players, including Canada’s Graham DeLaet, who is poised to make his move over the final 36-holes which will see the gold, silver and bronze decided at Reserva da Marapendi Golf Course on Sunday afternoon.

DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., shot an even-par 71 in the second round and is tied for sixth, five shots behind the leader at -5. DeLaet shares 6th with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, Argentina’s Fabian Gomez and New Zealand’s Danny Lee.

Graham DeLaet Interview: Audio #1  I  Audio #2

David Hearn, a Brantford, Ont., native, posted a 70 and is 11 back in 37th place at 1-over.

David Hearn (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Fraser’s accomplished performance earned him a slender margin over emerging Belgian star Thomas Pieters, whose 66 lifted him to 9-under-par, one in front of Stenson, who added a 68 to his opening 66.

England’s Justin Rose and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy have a share of 4th at 6-under.

MISSISSAUGA — Golf at the 2016 Mississauga Ontario Summer Games came to a close today with Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale and Mississauga’s Chloe Currie standing atop the podium.

Travale came in with a lead and never relinquished it, carding a two-over (74) final round. Currie came from behind to win thanks to a four-under (68) on the day.

Travale, from Hamilton Golf & Country Club, entered the day at 10-under for the tournament, with a four-shot lead. The 15-year-old didn’t let his competitors back into it on the front nine as he was even par heading to the turn. On the back nine he would settle for three bogeys, but added a birdie to finish two-over, which was good enough for the win. Travale ended the championship at eight-under (68-66-74-208).

“It feels good to win this. A lot of hard work has gone into my game, especially after having a little upset at the U.S. Junior,” said Travale.

Earning silver was Langton’s Peyton Callens. Callens, from Delhi Golf & Country Club and Team Ontario, began the day five-under and that is where he finished thanks to an even par final round (70-69-72-211).

Rounding out the podium with the bronze was King City’s Michael von Schalburg. The York Downs Golf & Country Club member had a tough front nine but settled down on the back nine to end the day three-over (75). That helped him finish the event at three-under (68-70-75-213).

In the girls’ championship, Currie, from the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, started the day two shots off the lead. The 16-year-old quickly made up that ground thanks to a solid three-under front nine. She continued her strong play on the back nine finishing it at one-under to end the day four-under (68). That moved her tournament total to seven-under (68-73-68-209), earning her a four-shot win.

With the win, Currie has now captured provincial championships at the Bantam (U15), Juvenile (U17) and Junior (U19) levels. After the win she spoke about what that means to her. “It is incredible! It is something you dream of doing, winning one is incredible but now I have won four provincial championships and it is an unbelievable feeling.”

Taking the silver was Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun. Chun, from the Summit Golf & Country Club and Team Ontario, was the leader as the final round got underway. However, she would give it up with a two-over front nine. While she did play the back nine even, she was unable to make up the ground on Currie. Chun finished the day two-over (74) to bring her tournament total to three-under (74-65-74-213).

Picking up the bronze was Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio. DiMarcantonio, from Station Creek Golf Club and Team Ontario, started the final round at five-over. However, the 13-year-old had the second best round of the day, next to Currie, finishing at three-under (69). That moved her to two-over (80-69-69-218) and helped her earn the medal.

CALGARY (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2016 CP Women’s Open taking place August 22–28 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

Calgary natives Jaclyn Lee and Jennifer Ha will have a home crowd advantage as they compete at the 44th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Lee, 19, is enjoying a stellar year on the course. The Ohio State University sophomore won the Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship, tied for third at the Women’s Porter Cup and finished as a quarter-finalist at the PNGA’s Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ha, 22, is playing her first full year as a professional. She earned her first pro win in April at a National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) event in Florida. The Kent State graduate won another NWGA title the following month at another event in Florida.

Both Lee and Ha play out of Glencoe Golf & Country Club, which is approximately 40 kilometres north of Priddis Greens.

Naomi Ko of Victoria is also enjoying a banner year. The 19-year-old N.C. State sophomore claimed the Canadian Junior Girls Championship last week in Nova Scotia at the Links at Penn Hills. The CP Women’s Open will be the third LPGA event of 2016 for Ko. In May, she claimed medallist honours at a sectional qualifier to earn entry into the U.S. Women’s Open. A month later she won the Portland Classic Amateur Championship to earn a spot in the Portland Classic, where she would play the weekend after making the cut.

Maddie Szeryk, 20, a dual-citizen of Canada and the United States is currently ranked No. 41 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Szeryk, who plays collegiate golf for Texas A&M, will be competing in her second CP Women’s Open.

Lee, Ko and Szeryk are members of the Team Canada’s National Amateur Team, while Ha is a program alum.

Seven Canadians who primarily compete on the Symetra Tour – the LPGA’s developmental circuit – have also been granted CP Women’s Open exemptions, including Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.

Other Canadian Symetra Tour players granted exemptions include Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault-sur-le-lac, Que., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City.

Hannah O’Sullivan, a former World No. 1 now ranked No. 3 in the world, will also be competing in Calgary. The 18-year-old Arizona native competed in both the 2016 U.S. and British Women’s Opens.

The 14 players earning exemptions into the CP Women’s Open will join a world-class field at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club that features the Top-3 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings: No. 1 and three-time champion Lydia Ko; No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand; and No. 3 Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Other LPGA Tour stars confirmed to compete include international fan favourites Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull, Stephanie Meadow and Morgan Pressel.

The Canucks receiving exemptions will join a Canadian contingent led by Henderson, Canadian Pacific ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, as well as fellow LPGA Tour players Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C.

Sharp and Henderson are representing Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 17-20.

In total, 16 Canadians will compete at Priddis Greens.

“The CP Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but also the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club for the first time since 2009 and the third time in tournament history.

On Monday, August 22, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at The Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Free Admission for Juniors…
Golf Canada and CP are proud to offer free admission to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to any spectator aged 17-and-under. In addition to free admission for juniors, parents can take advantage of discounted tickets by using the promotional code JUNIOR and clicking here.

Tickets…
Juniors – 17 & Under                       Free
Early Week (Mon-Wed)                 $10.50
Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun)     $31.50
Weekly (Mon-Sun)                            $78.75

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

GATINEAU, Que. – The 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship concluded under beaming sunshine and stifling heat. Hugo Bernard battled through the sweltering conditions to shoot 5-under 65 for a come-from-behind victory at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Bernard – a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team – began the day knotted in third, three shots behind leader Blair Bursey. Bernard carded a 65 – one short of the tournament’s low round that he posted on the second day – to secure the win.

“I played pretty solid,” said the 21-year-old. “My driver was pretty long and pretty straight, too. I made some great putts out there and it was a very solid round for me.”

He becomes the first Canadian to win the National Men’s Amateur title since Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Mackenzie Hughes won back-to-back championships in 2011-12. He is the first Quebec native to win the competition since Craig Matthew of Montréal accomplished the feat in 1998.

The victory adds to a season in which Bernard claimed medallist honours at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship before capturing this year’s Alexander of Tunis and playing in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The winner of the prestigious Earl Grey Trophy as Canadian Men’s Amateur champion was happy for the win, but seemed focused on the prized exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open which accompanies it.

“It means a lot,” said Bernard of the title. “I’m so happy to get my spot for the [RBC] Canadian Open next year. I hope I’m going to do better than this year, so I’m pretty excited about it.”

The native of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., tallied six birdies and held off the advances of several players, including Bursey. The product of Gander, N.L., held the lead for three consecutive days in a bid to become his province’s first Canadian Men’s Amateur champion.

“Blair Bursey from Newfoundland played amazing for the week,” said the winner, when asked about his competitors. “He shot 64 the first round; I was 10 shots back after one round, so it was my goal to chase him and I did it, so I’m pretty proud.”

China’s Andy Zhang, who resides in Winter Garden, Fla., shot 1-under on the day to maintain his hold on second. Bernard’s national teammate Stuart Macdonald began the day in sixth, but a 3-under showing vaulted the Vancouver native into third. Bernard reflected positively on his and Macdonald’s season as members of Golf Canada’s national team program.

“It was amazing this year. I learned so much with them. I played good golf since…[for] almost seven months. I learned so many things on the course and outside the course.”

Bursey would finish with a share of 5^th at 6-under alongside Kristoffer Ventura of Norway. Despite the setback in the individual standings, Bursey led Team Newfoundland and Labrador to its first Willingdon Cup in the 89-year history of the team competition played concurrently over this championship’s two opening rounds. The historic win was also the Atlantic province’s first team title at any amateur level on either the men’s or women’s sides.

In addition to claiming an exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open to be hosted at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30, Bernard has earned entry into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

The 2017 edition of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be hosted at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from August 7-10.

Additional information regarding the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship can be found here.

RIO DE JANEIRO – Canada’s Graham DeLaet rarely battle nerves at the start of a golf tournament.

The butterflies were definitely there on Thursday when he walked to the first tee at the Olympic Golf Course with the opening group.

“The last time I can think of really being nervous was probably the (2013) Presidents Cup,” he said. “There has been a couple times if you’re in final groups. But not the first tee shot of the week. So it was definitely a different feeling.

“You’re out there and you’re playing for more than just yourself. You’re playing for the flag and it’s a pretty cool feeling.”

DeLaet certainly didn’t play like he was nervous, firing four birdies over his first eight holes en route to a 5-under-par 66.

He held the clubhouse lead until Australia’s Marcus Fraser closed his round a short time later with a blistering 63. It was the first round of golf played at the Olympics since Canadian George S. Lyon won gold at the 1904 St. Louis Games.

“It’s pretty cool,” DeLaet said. “First time in over 100 years and we’re leading the charge here at the Olympics.”

Graham DeLaet Interview: Audio File I Transcript

Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Gregory Bourdy of France were in third place at 67 as play continued Thursday afternoon. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., opened with a 2-over-par 73.

DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., was joined by Brazil’s Adilson da Silva and South Korea’s Byeong Hun An in the first group. They were greeted by a phalanx of photographers for the historic moment, with da Silva sending the opening drive down the middle of the fairway.

Golf is in the developmental stages in the host country and the rather empty grandstands showed it. There were still groups of fans who followed the golfers around the 7,128-yard course, which has wide fairways, deep bunkers and plenty of slope.

DeLaet, with friend and retired NHL player Ray Whitney on his bag, was an impressive 31 at the turn. His lone bogey came on the 11th hole but he got that shot back on No. 13 and closed his round with another birdie.

“I played well all day,” he said. “We obviously had a great tee time. I mean, we didn’t play in a whole lot of wind until we made the turn. The last five, six holes it was blowing pretty good and I think it’s only picking up here now so I’m pretty happy to be first off.”

DeLaet’s approach game was in form and he was very impressed by the greens, which he said were playing “super true.”

“Hopefully I can keep it rolling,” he said. “I told Ray on 15, I almost made a huge bomb, it was almost a 50-footer with 10 feet of break. I said, ‘I feel like Jordan Spieth with this (putter) in my hand right now.’

“So hopefully that will stick with me for another few days.”

Both Canadians said they have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympic experience so far. They went to Canada Olympic House on Tuesday and were joined by the national women’s rugby sevens team on the bus ride over.

DeLaet said he held one of their bronze medals and left feeling even more motivated to shine on the Olympic stage.

“That’s when it really became real to me how amazing it would be to get that chunk of metal,” DeLaet said. “Obviously gold would be incredible but I think bringing home anything would be really special.”

Hearn struggled on the front nine before rebounding late in his round. He took a six on the par-4 second hole and was 39 at the turn before picking up birdies on three of his last four holes.

“It’s kind of my track record, I get a little better every day,” Hearn said. “So hopefully that was my bad day and I can just build on that each and every day.”

The top four players in the world — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Spieth and Rory McIlroy — are not in Rio, but the field still boasts big names like Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time so I know that I’m only 25 per cent done,” DeLaet said. “So I’m not getting too far ahead of myself, but it’s definitely better to shoot five under than five over to open up.”

Play continues through Sunday.

The women’s tournament begins Wednesday. Canada will be represented by Alena Sharp of Hamilton and world No. 3 Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Tweets from around the world:

“I’m the Olympic leader right now, and that’s pretty cool.” – Canada’s @GrahamDeLaet after opening with 66. #golf pic.twitter.com/NNXwndCAmu

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 11, 2016

.@GrahamDeLaet had ice in his veins today @OlympicGolf, carding a 5-under 66 for the clubhouse lead @ #Rio2016 #golf pic.twitter.com/VZmOVTEpMf

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 11, 2016

Graham DeLaet among the early Olympics co-leaders. Watch out for Canada. Like clockwork at this thing, every 112 years.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) August 11, 2016

.@GrahamDeLaet Great first round! We’re cheering you on from #yyc!

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) August 11, 2016

Great start in Brazil for @GrahamDeLaet

— Weirsy (@MikeWeir) August 11, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO — Men’s golf gets four days to make up for four months of negative chatter about whether it even belongs in the Olympics.

Not even a dreary sky with occasional rain could dampen the enthusiasm Wednesday on the final day of practice at Olympic Golf Course.

“No matter what happens this week, it’s the greatest week of my life,” two-time major champion Martin Kaymer said.

Bubba Watson was buzzing about watching Michael Phelps win the 200-meter butterfly the night before. British Open champion Henrik Stenson, an imposing figure in golf, felt small next to some of the other athletes in the gym at the Olympic Village.

“If you want to get motivated, that’s definitely a place to be,” he said. “There’s a lot of athletes from different sports in there, and I didn’t try and go for some dead lifts of 80, 90 kilos when there was a guy holding up 180 kilos on both arms.”

The biggest thrill for so many has been hanging around so many Olympians.

Now it’s their turn. Adilson da Silva of Brazil was chosen to hit the opening tee shot Thursday morning.

Not since 1904 in St. Louis has golf been part of the Olympic program, with George Lyon of Canada winning the gold medal. Every major golf organization lobbied for its return, pledging support from the best players in the world. And that’s what golf had until four months ago, when the deadline began approaching and players began bailing out for reasons ranging from the Zika virus to safety concerns to other priorities.

Most damaging was losing the top four players in the world — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. The Rio Games effectively are an audition before the International Olympic Committee votes next year on whether golf should stay beyond 2020.

“It’s certainly not helpful, but now we are looking forward and concentrating on those players who are here,” International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson said.

The best golf can do now is put on a memorable show.

The course, designed by American architect Gil Hanse specifically for the Rio Games, features wide fairways and no rough to account for wind that can get up to about 40 mph, and already has this week. It also offers a three-hole finish that could leave the outcome in doubt until the last hole.

Does it need a big name winning the gold medal, like Stenson or Kaymer or Watson? A surprise winner from a developing golf nation like Li Haotong of China or Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand? A playoff like the way Rickie Fowler won The Players Championship? A dominant performance like Stenson at Royal Troon?

“If you genuinely want the best thing that’s going to happen, you’re going to have four or five players in with a chance of winning with three or four holes to go … and Padraig Harrington finishing eagle-birdie-eagle to win it outright,” Harrington said.

One unknown remains the size of the gallery. Golf is used to being the biggest show when it comes to down, especially the majors. Now it is but one of 39 sports or disciplines, many of them with a much greater tradition in the Olympics. The IGF said about 58 percent of the tickets have been sold, with Sunday a sellout of 12,000.

The other mystery is golf itself. Not even the most dominant player of his era, Tiger Woods, could guarantee victories in any given week.

“I think I can give you a list of 10 to 15 guys who I think are going to find the medals, and that’s going to be among the strong players that are here, most likely,” Stenson said. “We’re a different sport. It not like some of the other sports where if you jump a certain distance or swim at a certain time, you can pretty much figure out who is going to win. Ours is a bit more down to the form for the week and on any given day. It’s a little trickier to find the golf and silver and bronze.”

For three days, this has looked and felt just like any other tournament except for players being in team uniforms (even though this is only 72 holes of individual stroke play for the medals). Still to be determined is how it feels with a gold medal — any medal — on the line.

“For me, I’ll approach it like any tournament,” Kaymer said. “But when Sunday comes, you will approach it differently, because whether you’re fourth or 20th, no one really cares. At the end of the day, you play for the top three or you play for the golden pineapple, which no one cares about.”