Rio's Olympic golf course is up and running after a test event ahead of next summer's Games was staged this week.
Rio's Olympic golf course is up and running after a test event ahead of next summer's Games was staged this week.
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Nine Brazilian players took part in the event in the Barra di Tijuca area of the city, about nine kilometers from the athletes' village.
Nine Brazilian players took part in the event in the Barra di Tijuca area of the city, about nine kilometers from the athletes' village.
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The world's top 15 players qualify automatically, meaning Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will go head-to-head. The Northern Irishman told CNN last month: "I'd definitely wait four years for another chance at the Olympics if I could win the Masters this year."
The world's top 15 players qualify automatically, meaning Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will go head-to-head. The Northern Irishman told CNN last month: "I'd definitely wait four years for another chance at the Olympics if I could win the Masters this year."
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The course, which has been built on a nature reserve, has been dogged by controversy over land disputes and environmental concerns. But organizers say a recent report showed the course had actually contributed to the growth of local vegetation.
The course, which has been built on a nature reserve, has been dogged by controversy over land disputes and environmental concerns. But organizers say a recent report showed the course had actually contributed to the growth of local vegetation.
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"The course conditions are very good, the greens are perfect," Miriam Nagl, who is in Brazil's final qualifying slot, told the Rio 2016 official site after playing the course.
"The course conditions are very good, the greens are perfect," Miriam Nagl, who is in Brazil's final qualifying slot, told the Rio 2016 official site after playing the course.
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The competition will be a strokeplay event over 72 holes for men and women. The world's top 15 players will quality automatically for the 2016 Games, but each country has a maximum of four entrants.
The competition will be a strokeplay event over 72 holes for men and women. The world's top 15 players will quality automatically for the 2016 Games, but each country has a maximum of four entrants.
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Alexandre Rocha, a former PGA Tour player, was the man to strike the first ball at the event. He said: "I never had the chance before to inaugurate a course before and it's something that no one can take away from me, a really cool thing that will always be with me."
Alexandre Rocha, a former PGA Tour player, was the man to strike the first ball at the event. He said: "I never had the chance before to inaugurate a course before and it's something that no one can take away from me, a really cool thing that will always be with me."
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The test event drew plenty of interest ... not least from this owl.
The test event drew plenty of interest ... not least from this owl.
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