The stage is set for the return of women's golf to the Olympics as the best female golfers in the world descend upon Le Golf National just outside Paris, France for the competitions beginning on August 7, 2024.
Sixty golfers representing 33 countries will be vying for the highly coveted gold, silver and bronze medals at the scenic course located in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Here are five important things to know ahead of the women's golf competition in Paris:
1. Field breakdown
33 nations will have representation in the star-studded field. Powerhouses Team USA and Korea have secured the maximum three spots, with Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang flying the American flag. Korea counters with Jin Young Ko, Amy Yang and Hyo Joo Kim.
Debuts will be made by Singapore's Shannon Tan, the first from her country, and Yuka Saso of Japan competes after switching nationality from Philippines. Minjee Lee of Australia also tees it up.
2. Reigning medalists return
Two of Tokyo 2020's medalists will vie for more glory in Paris, though one medalist was absent from qualifying. Nelly Korda will try to defend her gold-winning performance from Japan, where she prevailed by a single shot at 17-under-par overall.
Nelly Korda of Team United States chips onto the ninth green during a practice round ahead of the Women's Individual Stroke Play on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France/ Getty Images
After Lydia Ko and Mone Inami finished tied for second at 16-under, a sudden-death playoff was required to split them. Inami, competing in front of her home fans, eventually outlasted Ko in the additional holes to take silver. Ko had to settle for bronze, still marking her second career Olympic medal following silver in Rio 2016. While both American Korda and Ko will carry hopes of the podium once more, Inami - last year's silver medalist on Japanese soil - did not advance through her country's qualifying process this time around.
Read more: Olympics 2024: Nelly Korda Looks to Defend Women's Golf Title at Paris Olympics
3. New venue with history: Le Golf National
Le Golf National, located just outside the City of Lights, has hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018 and FedEx Open de France on the DP World Tour but will be new to most in the women's field. It firstly staged the Europeans in 1990 and has held several elite amateur events since. Read morre about Le Golf National here.
4. Brother-sister sibling rivalry
Minjee Lee plays her third Olympics but this time gets to experience it alongside her brother Min Woo Lee, making his debut for Australia last week. Min Woo made his debut for Australia last week. Min Woo finished in a tie for 22nd after posting a 72-hole total of 7-under at Le Golf National. Minjee is still working to earn her first Olympic medal and will be looking to better her T7 showing in Rio and her T29 showing in Tokyo this week in Paris. She aims to share in an Olympic moment with her brother on the hallowed course. Both chase long-awaited Olympic glory.
5. Origins of women's Olympic golf
The sport was last contested at Olympics in 1900, with legend Margaret Abbott claiming the inaugural gold for USA. It returned in 2016 with Inbee Park (gold), Lydia Ko (silver) and Shanshan Feng (bronze)starring on the podium in Rio.
Setting the scene for an unforgettable week under the Olympic rings in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower. With the competition now firmly established in its third straight Olympics, the future remains bright for showcasing women’s golf to new audiences worldwide. This summer’s classics will undoubtedly provide more history-making moments that elevate the LPGA Tour and its stars on sport's premier platform. All eyes will be on Le Golf National come August as sixty of the best battle it out with gold, silver and bronze on the line.
