Golf and the Olympics

-OLYMPIC FORMAT — A 72-hole stroke-play tournament for 60 men and 60 women. The top 15 players in the world rankings qualify automatically.

ORIGIN — The origin of golf is unclear, but the first written code of rules was made in 1744. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews in Scotland is considered to be the "home of golf" and was established in 1754.

OLYMPIC PAST — Men and women played golf at the Olympics in 1900, but only men competed at the 1904 St. Louis Games.

DEFENDING OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS — Margaret Abbott of the United States won the gold medal in 1900, and George Lyon of Canada took gold in 1904. The United States won the team event in 1904.