Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow from Ireland will both be making their third appearance in the Olympic Games in Paris and are hoping that it’s third time lucky in their pursuit of a medal.
“I think we realise how special this is to both of us. That’s why we came in early, so we could watch the guys and get to a few things and settle in,” said Meadow, adding: “I’m very excited. I’m in the first group tomorrow, so I expect the first team will be quite a lot of fun and probably a memory that will last a lifetime.”
They are looking forward to the first tee vibes and Maguire added: “Like Steph said, out watching the guys at the weekend, there’s a lot of Irish jerseys and felt like we were closer to home rather than France. It almost has that sort of Solheim Cup/Ryder Cup sort of atmosphere to it with the grandstands and the crowds. I think it’s going to be very exciting, and it’s one of those things where you want to do as well as you can do give the fans as much to cheer about as you can.”
Maguire observed a difference between the two nines and explained: “Apart from the opening two holes, there’s not a whole lot of water on the front. I think there’s some of the holes on the front nine that are more bunkers are more the issue, I would say. That’s one of the things we’ve noticed this week. The bunkers are incredibly difficult, especially the greens that bunkers, there’s no sand in them at all. They are going to be very penal. I don’t know how the guys managed it. We don’t spin it the way the guys do, and I think the bunkers are going to be extremely tricky.
“I know they are cutting the rough down around the tee shots but it’s very thick around the greens. Especially the front nine it’s very much a premium on hitting fairways and hitting greens. You will have plenty of chances if you hit fairways and greens but at the same time, if you miss a fairway you’re just going to be pitching out. If you miss a green, it’s a flop shot from everywhere. It’s hit it as hard as you can and hope that the ball moves sometimes.
“Both nines are demanding but demanding in different ways and the greens are firming up quite a bit. I played the back nine today sort of 15, 16, 17, 18, those greens are getting pretty firm. So, coming into those, even 18 will be a decision downwind whether you can stop the ball on that green depending on what club you’re coming in with. It might be perfectly short enough to hit in two, but it’s a case of whether you can hold that green or not, or feel better laying up and hitting a pitch in. There’s going to be a decent amount of strategy required, but obviously yeah, focus on execution at the same time.”
The 18th hole will play as a par-5 for the women’s competition, rather than a par 4 for the men’s last week, and Meadow added: “I think if you get your drive in the fairway — well, the past few days, Sunday, it was driver, 3-wood. That hole is really firming up. I think a lot will depend on the pin position, too, if it’s the front left pin or front right pin.
“I don’t think any of us will have enough spin to stop it at those pins so pretty much middle of the green every day. It will be an exciting finish to get a medal or a playoff or whatever it is. I think par 4 or par 5, it will be drama on 18 either way and ultimately you’re trying to get as low a number of shots as possible. So, you’ll have a choice to make on 18 if you’re in contention.”
Maguire added: “I think it’s a mix of a lot of different courses we play. A lot of holes look linksy. It doesn’t play linksy, but the dunes and the way some of the greens are shaped, they almost look linksy, and you’ve obviously got a lot of water. It’s a bit more of an American style.
“I think it is a real mix. So of course, like I said, it just tests all aspects of your game. You’re just going to have to drive it well and have really good control over your approach shots into the green. Ultimately like any major any tournament whoever holes the right putts at the right time is going to be successful this week.”
