5 Olympics golf storylines you missed overnight: Extreme heat, Nelly Korda’s strong start and a roommate with a black eye
Japan’s Mone Inami struck the first tee shot at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside Tokyo to get the women’s competition underway. A field of 60 battled extreme heat on the East Course.
As it was for the men’s side, Kasumigaseki is the host venue for the women’s festivities and it’s playing at 6,648 yards.
The event started Wednesday morning local time, but the 13-hour time difference meant golf fans in North America could watch it in prime time. Looking to catch the second round? Here’s all the info you need.
For those who didn’t stay up through the night to catch all the action, here’s what you missed from Round 1:
1. It’s crazy hot
Lexi Thompson of the United States walks off the first tee box with her caddie during the first round of the women’s competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Photo by Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
While temperatures were in the low-90s, the humidity pushed the feels-like temperature to 110 degrees. Lexi Thompson’s caddie, Jack Fulghum, had to be taken off the course mid-round due to the heat.
“He just asked me, he’s like, ‘Do I look white to you?’,” Thompson said. “And I’m like, I didn’t really notice. He just didn’t look good. I just want him to be healthy, that’s all.”
Donna Wilkins, a former LPGA player who now works as director player services, stepped in to pick up Thompson’s bag.
Thompson opened with a 1-over 72.
“I’ve won in Thailand and I’ve won in Malaysia,” said Jessica Korda. “This is a whole another beast of heat when you feel it radiating inside the cups, you know it’s pretty hot out there.”
2. Madelene Sagstrom paces the field
Madelene Sagstrom (SWE) smiles with her caddy after finishing the first round of the women’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom credits her short game for helping push her to top of the leaderboard after an opening 66. Sagstrom arrived in Japan on Saturday and spent the day in Olympic village. On Sunday, she came out and watched golf, including the massive playoff for bronze.
“It’s nice to get a feel of the course if you’re here,” said Sagstrom. “It’s still hard to see from the side what it actually looks like, but it was really nice to see how it was playing and you can kind of see how the greens were rolling and stuff like that.”
3. World No. 1 Nelly Korda off to strong start
Nelly Korda (USA) tees off on the third hole during the first round of the women’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Nelly Korda tried to drink a bottle of water per hole during her opening round, drinking so much that she didn’t even want to look at water after the round. An opening 67 puts Korda in strong position after Round 1 thanks in part to late birdies on Nos. 14 and 15.
“I’m hoping I’m in total control, it’s golf at the end of the day,” said Korda, who is making her Olympics debut. “I kind of sprayed some shots out to the right on my last two holes with my irons, but you’re going to have that, you’re going to lose a little bit of concentration.”
Korda sits tied with India’s Aditi Ashok at 4 under. Inbee Park, the 2016 gold-medal winner, holds a share of seven at 2 under.
“I think it’s just to survive,” said Park of how she tackles the heat. “I don’t have any strategy.”
4. Will they cut to 54?
Danielle Kang (USA) cools off on the ninth hole during the first round of the women’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
With a tropical storm on the horizon, it’s possible that the women’s event will be shortened. The Associated Press reports that players have been informed about the possibility of the event being reduced to 54 holes. The heat makes it too dangerous to play more than 18 holes per day.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka recently won the weather-shortened Marathon Classic on the LPGA, her most recent stroke-play event heading into the Olympics.
5. Matilda Castren now a fan for life
Matilda Castren (FIN) hits on the eighth hole during the first round of the women’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Matilda Castren, one of the hottest players in golf right now, stayed in the Olympic village from Thursday to Monday and stayed with a Finnish light-weight boxer who advanced to the semifinals. The first day they met, the boxer came home with a black eye.
“Like, wow, that never happens on the golf course to me,” said Castren with a laugh, “so I should be very thankful. She was like, ‘Well, every sport has its ups and downs.’ And I’m like, wow, at least I don’t get hit in my face.”
Castren, who became the first Finnish player to win on the LPGA in June, said the boxer now has a new fan for life.
