(ATR) Golf Channel analysts Mark Rolfing and Peter Jacobsen say the addition of the Olympics to the 2016 golf schedule will change golfers’ season-long strategies.
"It’s a huge unknown, some players embrace it and others haven’t," Jacobsen told Around the Rings during a press conference previewing the 2016 season.
The addition of golf to the Olympic Program for Rio 2016 marks the first time in 112 years since the sport will be played during the Games. The men’s and women’s tournaments will take place from Aug. 11-20.
The PGA decided to move the date of the PGA Championship to July rather than the usual tournament dates in August to accommodate PGA Tour golfers who want to compete at the Games. The last time the championship wasn’t played in August was in 1971 when Jack Nicklaus won it in February.
Rolfing says the addition of another tournament at the end of the season will be a challenge for golfers wishing to compete.
"It will be an extremely difficult schedule this year because of all of the big events from April to July," Rolfing tells ATR. "I think players will plan their schedules more carefully because you’ve got to leave some gas in the tank."
Rolfing and Jacobsen say that interest in competing at the Olympics will increase as the Games near.
"The closer we get the more guys we will see embracing it," said Rolfing.
"It will ramp in excitement as we get closer to August. Once they get in position to qualify you’ll see the interest level really soar," Jacobsen tells ATR.
The Olympic golf tournaments will take place at the newly constructed course in Barra de Tijuca with 60 men and 60 women competing for medals.
The Golf Channel will provide around-the-clock coverage of the tournaments to supplement coverage on NBC.
"2016 is going to be a big year for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports," said Jacobsen.
Written by KevinNutley
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