Nelly Korda defends her Olympic title

Sixty of the best female golfers in the world are teeing-off at Le Golf National near Paris today, Wednesday, 7th August to see who will be crowned as the Olympic Women’s Individual Strokeplay Champion for 2024 on Saturday.

 

The reigning Olympic Champion, Nelly Korda from America heads the field as the World Number One following her victory in the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in March.  The 26-year old won the Olympics Gold Medal in Tokyo in 2021 and has already won five consecutive events in 2024.

 

Spearheading the European challenge is Charley Hull.  The Briton’s last win came back in October 2022 but she is a consistent performer especially with two runner-up placings at Majors last year.

 

There is good news for Nederland too as 28-year old Anne van Dam from Arnhem is representing her country in Paris just as she did in Tokyo.

 

As I write, Celine Boutier from France has a significant lead over the field.  The 30-year old from Montrouge, who won her first Major, the 2023 Evian Championship on home soil in Evian-les-Bains, France, has already carded a superb 7-under par 65 and leads the Olympics by three clear shots.  In runner-up spot is Ashleigh Buhai (RSA) on 4-under par and Lilia Vu (USA) is sitting pretty in third spot on 3-under, however, they still have a few holes to play, so anything can happen!

 

This is the third time that golf has been on the Olympic programme since its return at Rio 2016 after a 112-year absence.  The first Olympic golf tournament was played at Paris 1900 with the sport being dropped after the St Louis Games in 1904.

 

Enjoy the Olympic Games!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  America’s Nelly Korda wins the Olympics Gold Medal in Tokyo 2021.