RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) –Golf tees off for the first time at the Olympics since 1904 as the men start their first round of play at the Olympic Golf Course — although the top four players in the world won’t be competing because of Zika fears.
The links-style layout stretches 7,128 yards (6,515 meters) and was built in the hopes it can both challenge some of the world’s best in Rio de Janeiro and then grow the game in Brazil.
The first tee shot will be struck by Brazilian Adilson da Silva, who learned to play using tree branches for clubs.
The professionals competing at the Rio Olympics include Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson of the United States and Martin Kaymer of Germany.
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