RIO DE JANEIRO — It looked like any other major tournament opener in women’s golf, with volunteers barking at people to silence their cellphones and caddies lining up the players for their shots. Upon closer inspection, the stark expressions of the players on the practice range and the duct tape covering sponsors’ names on their clothing served as reminders that the stakes are even higher this week at Reserva de Marapendi.
The significance of the Olympics to the women’s game was as clear as the rooting interest of the gallery following Gerina Piller of the United States, Azahara Muñoz of Spain and Inbee Park of South Korea, one of the marquee threesomes in the 60-player field, during Wednesday’s opening round.