UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio – Vijay Singh rebounded from a bad shot on the 17th to birdie the final hole Thursday and take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the U.S. Senior Open.

Still playing full-time on the PGA Tour at age 53, the big Fijian shot a 4-under 66 on a hot and humid afternoon at Scioto Country Club, the suburban Columbus course where Jack Nicklaus learned to play.

Singh pushed his tee shot right and bogeyed the par-3 17th. On the par-4 18th, he hit his second shot to 4 feet. The three-time major champion hit 13 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens.

“I’m driving the ball well,” said Singh, coming off a tie for 56th on Sunday in Connecticut in the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. “I’m hitting my irons good. Playing the regular tour, I’ve been playing pretty decent out there too. I came here (and) obviously expected to play well, and I just played well today.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jeff Gallagher, Michael Allen, Gene Sauers and Glen Day shot 68.

“The weather is good. It’s perfect. It’s hot, humid,” Jimenez said. “This heat is going to drain a lot from you and probably (make things) more difficult, not because the course is more difficult, but the situation for the players that will be there at the end of the weekend.”

Singh is winless in nine career starts on the 50-and-over tour

“Every time I tee it up (in senior events), if I don’t win, I’m really disappointed,” Singh said. “So I put a lot more pressure on myself, and that’s not very good. I force myself to play well over here instead of just playing. So my attitude this week is just go and play and see what happens.”

Singh finished second this year in the PGA Tour’s Quicken Loans National in June, but missed the cut at the British Open and the PGA Championship. He said the dry, hard course at Scioto was a tough test.

“It was really firm,” Singh said. “Couldn’t stop even a sand wedge. Nothing was spinning. If you missed a green, it was very difficult to get up and down.”

The hot, dry conditions aren’t supposed to last, with rain forecast Friday and Saturday.

Defending champion Jeff Maggert had a 70. He won last year at Del Paso in California.

“The course is playing great, very difficult,” Maggert said. “Just every hole is demanding. You got to keep the ball on the fairway and pay attention to what you’re doing around the greens, make sure you’re giving yourself some opportunities to putt for birdies. Missing the greens here can really hurt you pretty bad too. It’s a ball striker’s course, and I’m hitting the ball well. So hopefully, the putter will cooperate over the next three days, and I can finish it off with a good tournament.”

Calgary’s Stephen Ames and John Daly also shot matching 70s.

“I actually hit the ball decent today,” Daly said. “I made a few putts, but nothing special. It was cool to play pretty much 16 holes bogey-free. I made a few 5- and 6-footers for pars as well, which helped. I had not been putting very good.”

Bernhard Langer opened with a 73. Woodbridge, Ont., native Dave Bunker follows one stroke behind, and Rod Spittle of St. Catharines, Ont., completes the Canadian contingent at 77.

GATINEAU, Que. – The 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship concluded under beaming sunshine and stifling heat. Hugo Bernard battled through the sweltering conditions to shoot 5-under 65 for a come-from-behind victory at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Bernard – a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team – began the day knotted in third, three shots behind leader Blair Bursey. Bernard carded a 65 – one short of the tournament’s low round that he posted on the second day – to secure the win.

“I played pretty solid,” said the 21-year-old. “My driver was pretty long and pretty straight, too. I made some great putts out there and it was a very solid round for me.”

He becomes the first Canadian to win the National Men’s Amateur title since Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Mackenzie Hughes won back-to-back championships in 2011-12. He is the first Quebec native to win the competition since Craig Matthew of Montréal accomplished the feat in 1998.

The victory adds to a season in which Bernard claimed medallist honours at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship before capturing this year’s Alexander of Tunis and playing in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The winner of the prestigious Earl Grey Trophy as Canadian Men’s Amateur champion was happy for the win, but seemed focused on the prized exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open which accompanies it.

“It means a lot,” said Bernard of the title. “I’m so happy to get my spot for the [RBC] Canadian Open next year. I hope I’m going to do better than this year, so I’m pretty excited about it.”

The native of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., tallied six birdies and held off the advances of several players, including Bursey. The product of Gander, N.L., held the lead for three consecutive days in a bid to become his province’s first Canadian Men’s Amateur champion.

“Blair Bursey from Newfoundland played amazing for the week,” said the winner, when asked about his competitors. “He shot 64 the first round; I was 10 shots back after one round, so it was my goal to chase him and I did it, so I’m pretty proud.”

China’s Andy Zhang, who resides in Winter Garden, Fla., shot 1-under on the day to maintain his hold on second. Bernard’s national teammate Stuart Macdonald began the day in sixth, but a 3-under showing vaulted the Vancouver native into third. Bernard reflected positively on his and Macdonald’s season as members of Golf Canada’s national team program.

“It was amazing this year. I learned so much with them. I played good golf since…[for] almost seven months. I learned so many things on the course and outside the course.”

Bursey would finish with a share of 5^th at 6-under alongside Kristoffer Ventura of Norway. Despite the setback in the individual standings, Bursey led Team Newfoundland and Labrador to its first Willingdon Cup in the 89-year history of the team competition played concurrently over this championship’s two opening rounds. The historic win was also the Atlantic province’s first team title at any amateur level on either the men’s or women’s sides.

In addition to claiming an exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open to be hosted at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30, Bernard has earned entry into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

The 2017 edition of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be hosted at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from August 7-10.

Additional information regarding the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship can be found here.

RIO DE JANEIRO – Canada’s Graham DeLaet rarely battle nerves at the start of a golf tournament.

The butterflies were definitely there on Thursday when he walked to the first tee at the Olympic Golf Course with the opening group.

“The last time I can think of really being nervous was probably the (2013) Presidents Cup,” he said. “There has been a couple times if you’re in final groups. But not the first tee shot of the week. So it was definitely a different feeling.

“You’re out there and you’re playing for more than just yourself. You’re playing for the flag and it’s a pretty cool feeling.”

DeLaet certainly didn’t play like he was nervous, firing four birdies over his first eight holes en route to a 5-under-par 66.

He held the clubhouse lead until Australia’s Marcus Fraser closed his round a short time later with a blistering 63. It was the first round of golf played at the Olympics since Canadian George S. Lyon won gold at the 1904 St. Louis Games.

“It’s pretty cool,” DeLaet said. “First time in over 100 years and we’re leading the charge here at the Olympics.”

Graham DeLaet Interview: Audio File I Transcript

Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Gregory Bourdy of France were in third place at 67 as play continued Thursday afternoon. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., opened with a 2-over-par 73.

DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., was joined by Brazil’s Adilson da Silva and South Korea’s Byeong Hun An in the first group. They were greeted by a phalanx of photographers for the historic moment, with da Silva sending the opening drive down the middle of the fairway.

Golf is in the developmental stages in the host country and the rather empty grandstands showed it. There were still groups of fans who followed the golfers around the 7,128-yard course, which has wide fairways, deep bunkers and plenty of slope.

DeLaet, with friend and retired NHL player Ray Whitney on his bag, was an impressive 31 at the turn. His lone bogey came on the 11th hole but he got that shot back on No. 13 and closed his round with another birdie.

“I played well all day,” he said. “We obviously had a great tee time. I mean, we didn’t play in a whole lot of wind until we made the turn. The last five, six holes it was blowing pretty good and I think it’s only picking up here now so I’m pretty happy to be first off.”

DeLaet’s approach game was in form and he was very impressed by the greens, which he said were playing “super true.”

“Hopefully I can keep it rolling,” he said. “I told Ray on 15, I almost made a huge bomb, it was almost a 50-footer with 10 feet of break. I said, ‘I feel like Jordan Spieth with this (putter) in my hand right now.’

“So hopefully that will stick with me for another few days.”

Both Canadians said they have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympic experience so far. They went to Canada Olympic House on Tuesday and were joined by the national women’s rugby sevens team on the bus ride over.

DeLaet said he held one of their bronze medals and left feeling even more motivated to shine on the Olympic stage.

“That’s when it really became real to me how amazing it would be to get that chunk of metal,” DeLaet said. “Obviously gold would be incredible but I think bringing home anything would be really special.”

Hearn struggled on the front nine before rebounding late in his round. He took a six on the par-4 second hole and was 39 at the turn before picking up birdies on three of his last four holes.

“It’s kind of my track record, I get a little better every day,” Hearn said. “So hopefully that was my bad day and I can just build on that each and every day.”

The top four players in the world — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Spieth and Rory McIlroy — are not in Rio, but the field still boasts big names like Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time so I know that I’m only 25 per cent done,” DeLaet said. “So I’m not getting too far ahead of myself, but it’s definitely better to shoot five under than five over to open up.”

Play continues through Sunday.

The women’s tournament begins Wednesday. Canada will be represented by Alena Sharp of Hamilton and world No. 3 Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Tweets from around the world:

“I’m the Olympic leader right now, and that’s pretty cool.” – Canada’s @GrahamDeLaet after opening with 66. #golf pic.twitter.com/NNXwndCAmu

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 11, 2016

.@GrahamDeLaet had ice in his veins today @OlympicGolf, carding a 5-under 66 for the clubhouse lead @ #Rio2016 #golf pic.twitter.com/VZmOVTEpMf

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 11, 2016

Graham DeLaet among the early Olympics co-leaders. Watch out for Canada. Like clockwork at this thing, every 112 years.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) August 11, 2016

.@GrahamDeLaet Great first round! We’re cheering you on from #yyc!

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) August 11, 2016

Great start in Brazil for @GrahamDeLaet

— Weirsy (@MikeWeir) August 11, 2016

When the opening tee shot at the newly built Olympic Course is struck at 7.30am this Thursday, it will bring to an end a 112 year wait, stretching back to the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, since the last stroke was made in an Olympic Golf event.

Without doubt golf has experienced some big changes during the intervening years, from the general condition of the courses, to the equipment used, to the now global audience, and even to the Rules by which the game is played. However, considering all the ways in which the game has evolved during this time, just how different a game will this summer’s Olympians be playing in Rio compared to those who last teed it up in the Olympics at the Glen Echo Golf Club in 1904?

For the most part, the Rules of play remain very much the same today as they were then. The vast majority of Rules ranging from the way in which a player may strike the ball and take a stance, to dealing with obstructions and receiving advice all remain relatively unchanged, and though there have undoubtedly been some key alterations, one of the most noticeable things at first glance is actually how much of the Rule book remains the same, at least in principle if not wording.

In terms of the course, there are a number of basic differences which would surely raise some eyebrows amongst this year’s Olympic field if playing under the same Rules as their predecessors.

For example, back in 1904, far from being the manicured surfaces they are today, the ‘putting-green’ was simply considered to be “all ground within 20 yards of the hole except hazards”, and it is worth noting that the term ‘hazard’ at that time also carried a slightly more literal meaning than it does today.

Whilst the ‘hazards’ which challenge today’s golfers include any bunkers or water hazards on the course, during golf’s last Olympic appearance, the term ‘hazard’ incorporated quite a bit more.

At that time, “any bunker, water (except casual water), sand, path, road, railway, whin, bush, rushes, rabbit scrape, fence, or ditch” fell under this much broader definition, and although Rio’s Olympian golfers are unlikely to be troubled by whin, roads, or indeed a railway line while competing for the coveted medals, they may appreciate the fact that the current Rules take a more lenient approach to some of the more common conditions which they might encounter.

As the new Olympic course was built, for the most part, on what was an old sand quarry, one such condition might be the already infamous “native areas” which have been designed to gather up any stray balls which miss the fairway. Despite these ‘native’ areas being mostly sand, under the current Rules they are not considered to be hazards, and therefore players may ground their clubs without penalty should they find themselves in trouble.

Hole 3 at Olympic Golf Course (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Despite the fact that, for the most part, the Rules of the game have remained relatively unchanged over the last 112 years, there are some instances where the current crop of Olympian golfers arguably have it somewhat easier.

For example, any player who finds themselves facing a long putt on Rio’s Olympic course, might count themselves lucky that they have the option of having the flag attended, as this option was not available to their Olympic predecessors.

Back in 1904, any player whose ball was on the ‘green’ (ie within 20 yards of the hole), was not entitled to play until the flag had been removed and any player breaching this Rule found themselves on the receiving end of a one stroke penalty – definitely something to bear in mind if you see a player lining up a tricky 60-footer!

“When a competitor’s ball is within twenty yards of the hole, the competitor shall not play until the flag has been removed, under penalty of one stroke.”

Things don’t appear to get any more difficult for the modern player away from the green either. With the design of the new Olympic course having been inspired by the testing Castle Stuart course in Scotland, and having also drawn comparisons with some of Australia’s more challenging Sandbelt courses, it is almost inevitable that players will fall victim to some of the more demanding areas of the courses ‘native vegetation’ and find their ball in an unplayable lie.

When this happens, the players may again be thankful that they are playing under the most recent edition of the Rules as currently, if a player deems his ball to be unplayable, they have three options under which they can proceed to try and find a playable – or at least more favourable – lie (Rule 28). They can go back to the point where they last played their ball, drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay keeping that point directly in line with the hole, or drop a ball within two club lengths of the spot where the ball lay, no nearer to the hole. Crucially, all of these options are available at the cost of one penalty stroke.

The Rules in effect during the 1904 Olympics weren’t quite as charitable in this regard. Not only were the relief options more limited in that they only allowed the player to go back in a line from where it lay, or to the nearest point if that was not possible, but they also came at the expense of two penalty strokes rather than one. One benefit under the old Rules, however, might have been the requirement to ‘tee’ the ball when taking relief – something which would surely have the potential for some interesting recovery shots for some of the more aggressive players in the field.

“A ball may be lifted from any place under penalty of two strokes. A ball so lifted shall be teed if possible behind the place where it lay. If it be impossible to tee the ball behind the place where it lay, it shall be teed as near as possible thereto but not nearer the hole.”

The 2016 Olympians certainly don’t have it all their own way, though, as in other aspects, the Rules used in 1904 are undoubtedly more generous towards the player.

For example, should a player find themselves on the wrong side of the boundary line at the Olympic Course  in the coming fortnight, they will incur a penalty of one stroke and will be required to return and play another ball from where they played the original, thus being penalised both stroke and distance (Rule 27-1b), whereas their predecessors had the rather more lenient penalty of simply losing distance: “if a ball be played out of bounds, a ball shall be dropped at the spot from which the stroke was played, under penalty of loss of the distance”.

David Hearn during practice for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Photo by Stan Badz/ PGA TOUR/IGF)

Not only was the additional penalty stroke not introduced until 1909 (and even then it was only by Local Rule), any wayward player’s in 1904 mightn’t even have had to endure the disheartening walk back to their original position. This was as, for the first time, the updated Rules in 1902 had seen the introduction of the ‘provisional ball’, even if it was yet to fall under that name – “If it be doubtful whether a ball has been played out of bounds another may be dropped and played, but if it be discovered that the first ball is not out of bounds, it shall continue in play without penalty.”

Another slight variance between the Rules then and now is that if a competitor at the Glen Echo Golf Club in 1904 was to play a wrong ball and discover their error before playing from the next tee, they would be free to return and play their correct ball without penalty. Should a player make a similar mistake during this year’s Olympic competition, they wouldn’t get off so lightly, and would be on the receiving end of a two stroke penalty (Rule 15-3b).

“A competitor shall hole out with his own ball at every hole, under penalty of disqualification. But if it be discovered, before he has struck off from the next teeing-ground or, if the mistake occur at the last hole, before he has handed in his card, that he has not holed out with his own ball, he shall be at liberty to return and hole out with his own ball, without penalty.”

If there are some who after reading might argue that the Rules were more lenient in years gone by, one final difference may be worth bearing in mind.

In Rio, if a player accidentally tees up their ball and plays from outside the teeing ground, they will incur a two stroke penalty and will be required to then correctly play a ball from within the teeing ground (Rule 11-4b). A penalty some might argue is quite punishing for what can simply be a matter of centimetres during a momentary lapse in concentration. However, compared to the Rules in place during Golf’s last Olympic appearance, they would be considered to have gotten off lightly. Back then, any player who played from outside the teeing ground was given an immediate penalty of disqualification whether on the first hole or the last.

“If a competitor plays from outside the limits of the teeing-ground, the penalty shall be disqualification.”

With 60 men and 60 women competing at this year’s two Olympic Golf events, one unchanged Rule from the 1904 edition which will no doubt be on every player’s mind is that; “In stroke competitions, the competitor who holes the stipulated course in fewest strokes shall be the winner.” And with the Olympic Course ready to test golf’s newest Olympians and the referees are all well versed with the 2016 Rules of Golf, we look forward to seeing who will take to the podium when the last putt drops after its 112-year wait.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Men’s golf gets four days to make up for four months of negative chatter about whether it even belongs in the Olympics.

Not even a dreary sky with occasional rain could dampen the enthusiasm Wednesday on the final day of practice at Olympic Golf Course.

“No matter what happens this week, it’s the greatest week of my life,” two-time major champion Martin Kaymer said.

Bubba Watson was buzzing about watching Michael Phelps win the 200-meter butterfly the night before. British Open champion Henrik Stenson, an imposing figure in golf, felt small next to some of the other athletes in the gym at the Olympic Village.

“If you want to get motivated, that’s definitely a place to be,” he said. “There’s a lot of athletes from different sports in there, and I didn’t try and go for some dead lifts of 80, 90 kilos when there was a guy holding up 180 kilos on both arms.”

The biggest thrill for so many has been hanging around so many Olympians.

Now it’s their turn. Adilson da Silva of Brazil was chosen to hit the opening tee shot Thursday morning.

Not since 1904 in St. Louis has golf been part of the Olympic program, with George Lyon of Canada winning the gold medal. Every major golf organization lobbied for its return, pledging support from the best players in the world. And that’s what golf had until four months ago, when the deadline began approaching and players began bailing out for reasons ranging from the Zika virus to safety concerns to other priorities.

Most damaging was losing the top four players in the world — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. The Rio Games effectively are an audition before the International Olympic Committee votes next year on whether golf should stay beyond 2020.

“It’s certainly not helpful, but now we are looking forward and concentrating on those players who are here,” International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson said.

The best golf can do now is put on a memorable show.

The course, designed by American architect Gil Hanse specifically for the Rio Games, features wide fairways and no rough to account for wind that can get up to about 40 mph, and already has this week. It also offers a three-hole finish that could leave the outcome in doubt until the last hole.

Does it need a big name winning the gold medal, like Stenson or Kaymer or Watson? A surprise winner from a developing golf nation like Li Haotong of China or Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand? A playoff like the way Rickie Fowler won The Players Championship? A dominant performance like Stenson at Royal Troon?

“If you genuinely want the best thing that’s going to happen, you’re going to have four or five players in with a chance of winning with three or four holes to go … and Padraig Harrington finishing eagle-birdie-eagle to win it outright,” Harrington said.

One unknown remains the size of the gallery. Golf is used to being the biggest show when it comes to down, especially the majors. Now it is but one of 39 sports or disciplines, many of them with a much greater tradition in the Olympics. The IGF said about 58 percent of the tickets have been sold, with Sunday a sellout of 12,000.

The other mystery is golf itself. Not even the most dominant player of his era, Tiger Woods, could guarantee victories in any given week.

“I think I can give you a list of 10 to 15 guys who I think are going to find the medals, and that’s going to be among the strong players that are here, most likely,” Stenson said. “We’re a different sport. It not like some of the other sports where if you jump a certain distance or swim at a certain time, you can pretty much figure out who is going to win. Ours is a bit more down to the form for the week and on any given day. It’s a little trickier to find the golf and silver and bronze.”

For three days, this has looked and felt just like any other tournament except for players being in team uniforms (even though this is only 72 holes of individual stroke play for the medals). Still to be determined is how it feels with a gold medal — any medal — on the line.

“For me, I’ll approach it like any tournament,” Kaymer said. “But when Sunday comes, you will approach it differently, because whether you’re fourth or 20th, no one really cares. At the end of the day, you play for the top three or you play for the golden pineapple, which no one cares about.”

GATINEAU, Que. – Despite a heatwave blanketing the 112^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Blair Bursey remained cool and collected, shooting even-par 70 to remain atop the leaderboard. The Gander, N.L., native is now 18 holes away from becoming his home province’s first winner of this competition.

“I got off to a pretty nice and smooth start,” said Bursey. “I really got into the round with some good putts early. I hit a little bit of a shaky patch – one bad decision and a couple of shots that were just a lack of execution. Aside from that, I handled my nerves well. Even though I had those errors, I’m pleased to still be leading the tournament. But the reality is that I have a one-shot lead and that’s not very much at all. I know that it’s going to take a really solid score from me to keep that wire-to-wire [win] going.”

The 19-year-old strung together three consecutive birdies across holes 4 to 6, but a trio of bogeys over a four-hole stretch from Nos. 11 to 14 have him one stroke ahead of China’s Andy Zhang. A resident of Winter Garden, Fla., Zhang collected four birdies on the day and finished with a 1-under 69.

“Credit to Blair, we had a good run going on the front nine,” reflected the University of Florida Gator. “He’s a really good player and it’s not easy to have to chase him. If I play my game and limit some of my mistakes, I think I’ll have a really good chance.”

Bursey was quick to compliment his playing partners – Zhang and Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard – when asked about the final round.

“Andy is super impressive. The way that he hit it today, I know he’s going to shoot a really low score tomorrow, so I’m going to have to post something good. Hugo is always good – a really good ball-striker and a good putter. He’s an all-around solid guy, so I know that there is going to be a lot required of me tomorrow to keep this championship within my grasp.”

After leading for a third consecutive round and guiding Team Newfoundland and Labrador to the province’s first Willingdon Cup victory as team champions, the pressure to succeed has certainly grown. Bursey, a Utah Valley University junior, continues to show a steadfast resolve.

“My whole playing career, I’ve played much better when I play without expectations. It’s not me trying not to have them, it just kind of happens. I just showed up and before I knew it, I was 5- or 6-under par at Eagle Creek.

“I always felt like it [depended on] whether or not I was mentally in the right state of mind. I’ve managed to have a really good demeanor this week. I haven’t really reacted to bad shots. On the greens, I’ve remained pretty calm and I’ve felt pretty good about where my head is at and I think that’s helped me out a lot.”

Bernard, a native of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., carded a 69 and sits T3 alongside Travis Smyth of Shellharbour, Australia and Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

The sheer, dizzying scope is what takes some getting used to.

Four years ago, an estimated 3.64 billion viewers tuned in worldwide to watch the Games in London. Beijing, in 2008, delivered a global audience of approximately 3.55 billion. The Olympic Games unfold a vast canvas, unlike any other sporting event.

More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries, 306 medals in 28 sports have gathered in Rio de Janerio for 17 days when the world stops to watch. And high among the list of curiosities is golf.

Marking a return to the Games for the first time in 112 years. Back then in 1904, the average annual income was between $200-$400 (the average wage? 22 cents an hour), crossword puzzles had yet to be invented, the standard life expectancy hovered at around 47 years and Wilfred Laurier was Prime Minister. So naturally, the wait has only piqued interest in golf’s return to the Olympic.

Yes, there’s a sizeable degree of week-to-week hype surrounding the two pre-eminent North American professional golf tours, particularly come Majors time. But an Olympics ramps scrutiny up an entirely different octave. Allow Canadian ski racer Brady Leman to outline potential pitfalls.

Brady Leman (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh?

“There’s a danger, the first time for anyone at an Olympic Games,’’ cautions the two-time – Vancouver and Sochi – Olympian, “that you can get caught blowing the size of the event out of proportion in your own mind. There are going to be butterflies, because there is this kind of stigma around the Olympics, no matter how big a stage you’ve been on before.”

“I know the golfers and tennis players and basketball players are accustomed to handling a lot of attention. But this a once-every-four-years thing, maybe you only get one chance during a career, so it’s easy for anybody to get caught up in the hype. Then there’s all these extra things you have to deal with. Crazy little stuff, like the clothing, the logos, what you can wear and what you can’t.”

“Athletes are creatures of habit … but in something as big, as all-over-the-map, as an Olympic Games, your best bet is to just go with the flow. As an athlete, you can’t let those extra distractions get in the way of your process. What you really do need is the help of people around you; rely on them to do deal with a lot of those unfamiliar headaches – more media, the logistical challenges of getting from Point A to Point B, managing your time in the most efficient way possible, etc., etc. It’s a different beast to tame, for sure.”

The Games – particularly the Summer version, massive in comparison to its winter sibling – are sprawling, messy, frenetic, disjointed. Security is going to be exhaustive. Traffic, particularly in Rio, an absolute nightmare. By contrast, a PGA or LPGA tournament rolls along as smooth, as true, as a Graham DeLaet ramrod-straight uphill six-footer for birdie. So much will be so foreign for the world’s best ball-strikers, including Canada’s contingent of DeLaet, David Hearn, Alena Sharp and Brooke Henderson.

The athlete village, for starters. No 24-hour room service here. Pretty spartan, by pro standards. But weeks housed in a teeming beehive of activity is what each individual makes of it. For the broad-minded, the curious, it provides an unprecedented opportunity to mingle with melting pot of athletes from all countries and sports, see into a window into other cultures and broaden horizons.

The course itself, a 7,290-yard, par-71, Gil Hanse links-style designed layout located in the affluent Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood out of a patch of sand along a nature reserve, will be another departure from the norm. Rio has poor soil and water, necessitating the installation of turf known as Zeon Zoysia, a durable warm-weather grass that requires less nitrogen, fertilizer, pesticide and water, so the feel of the course will be different than what the pros are used to most weeks, adding to the unfamiliarity and unpredictably quotients.

What golf can pull out of this rare Olympic foray is visibility beyond its target audience.

“Rio,’’ says women’s world No. 1 Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, “is a great way to grow our game. We have a chance to make golf fans of general sports fans. That’s something we all have a part in. Golf is a very individual sport. Obviously there are team competitions like the Solheim Cup, the Ryder Cup. But you’re there not representing yourself but your flag. Your country. I think it will definitely be a different feeling. And I can’t wait. Watching opening and closing ceremonies over the years, you realize how inspirational it all is. Sports come together and it’s like one family.”

“I’m sure there’ll be pressure. But I’ve got to block it out. I need to focus on my game, hit the shot I need to hit and just enjoy everything around the Olympics. The village, other events. It’s not every day you get to go and play in the Olympics for your country. There’s so much I can enjoy out of it than just ‘Hey, you need to bring a medal home.’ I know it sounds corny but it’s not all about medals at the end of the day. It’s about the experience, playing as well as you can and letting the chips fall where they may.”

For the first time in 112 years, golf is back at the Olympic Games. The men tee off for their first round on Aug. 11th, the women on the 17th. The game is the same. Everything else will take some getting used to.

“For the golfers, being first timers,’’ added Leman. “My advice would be: Be adaptable, enjoy the experience and try not to sweat some of the small details.

“Is it just another 18 holes, just another tournament? Yes, and no. You’ve got to treat it that way when you’re competing but, well, it is the Olympics. Bottom line is that you’re among the best in the world at what you do. That’s why you’re there. Whoever you are, whatever your sport may be. Trust in that.”

Former NHL player Ray Whitney first became friends with Graham DeLaet when the Canadian golfer joined the Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

It wasn’t long before they were playfully arguing about how many strokes the PGA Tour player should gift Whitney when they played together.

“He always bitches and I bitch if he doesn’t give me enough,” Whitney said with a laugh. “So it’s a pretty competitive little group when we get going. It’s a lot of pissing and moaning on the first tee usually.”

Whitney will be a source of support along with a second set of eyes for the Canadian player as golf makes its return to the Olympic program for the first time since 1904.

“Obviously he’s a great athlete and he’s got a lot of experience, has won Stanley Cups and knows what it takes to win,” DeLaet said Tuesday. “I think I can lean on him for little bits of advice here and there even though it’s a different sport.

“He’s maybe the most competitive person that I’ve ever met and I play on the PGA Tour where every person is extremely competitive. He’s got no quit in him, that’s for sure.”

Ray Whitney (Getty Images)

Whitney, a 44-year-old native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., played 1,330 career NHL games before retiring after the 2013-14 season. And for the record, DeLaet usually gives him a few strokes per round when they play.

“He’s scared me a couple times that he [might] beat me straight up but he never has,” DeLaet said. “He tied me once and thank God [he didn’t win] because I’d never hear the end of it. He’s a good player.

DeLaet said regular caddie Julien Trudeau declined to come to Rio due to concerns about the Zika virus. He’s confident that Whitney will do a great job over the four-round pinch-hit assignment.

“If I’m second-guessing a little bit, I’ll bring him in,” DeLaet said. “He’s a plus handicap so he knows how to read greens and stuff too.”

DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., will open play Thursday at the Olympic Golf Course. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton will be in the field for the Aug. 17-20 women’s event.

DeLaet, who played nine practice holes at the Olympic Golf Course on Tuesday, said the fairways were playing soft but the layout could become difficult in the wind. It’s a wide course with plenty of slope and steep bunkers.

The 34-year-old Canadian took over a month off earlier this season to deal with some anxiety issues — so-called ‘yips’ while chipping around the green, to be specific — before returning in early July.

He picked up a top-10 finish last month at the Barbasol Championship before missing the cut at the recent RBC Canadian Open. Overall he’s feeling good about his game.

“It’s actually getting much better,” he said. “The nice thing out here is if I feel any nerves or anything, you can pretty much putt from anywhere. So that’s almost like a safety blanket type of thing. You’re going to see guys putting from 20 feet, 30 feet off the green who can chip really well.

Whitney said he’ll be fired up when DeLaet makes birdies and will try to give him a lift if he gets frustrated.

“It’s no different than when I played with Eric Staal in Carolina and he was going through a little slump,” he said. “I was like, ‘C’mon Big E. Let’s get ‘er going. One tap-in makes it all go away.’ It’s that kind of thing.

“Athletes don’t need more crap piled on them when there is enough there that they put on themselves.”

GATINEAU, Que. – The trio representing Newfoundland and Labrador made history in capturing the Willingdon Cup at the 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont. Blair Bursey maintained his standing atop the individual leaderboard and led his home province to its first national team title at any level.

“I’m really proud to be from where I’m from and to always represent my province,” said the Gander, N.L., product. “Being a little different and growing up in Newfoundland and trying to play college golf and high-level amateur golf out of Newfoundland has been difficult at times with the weather and the season, but the people back there are so good and so supportive.

“This will be a big deal back there. To win the Willingdon Cup and to do something that hasn’t been done before for Newfoundland is awesome and quite a pleasure for not only myself, but also Chuck, Nathan, our other teammates and everyone who has helped get us here.”

Nathan Peters of St. John’s, N.L., echoed his teammate’s sentiments when reflecting on the victory.

“It’s definitely something really cool. Growing up playing golf in Newfoundland, you only ever really expect to just play in nationals and winning anything is very far-fetched. The golf courses were extremely beautiful and winning the Willingdon Cup is pretty incredible.”

Alongside fellow St. John’s native Chuck Conley – who was forced to withdraw prior to the second round due to injury – the trio finished the competition a combined 3-under 281 to earn the province’s first Willingdon Cup in the team competition’s 89-year history. The victory also gives the Atlantic province its first team title at any amateur level on either the men’s or women’s sides. Bursey was quick to credit his teammates when asked about the historic feat.

“I know Nathan quite well, he’s a super talented kid. I don’t think he knows how talented he is. Chuck is as awesome as ever – a real nice guy and always fun to play with. So they’re really good guys and I’m really happy for them.”

“Hanging out with guys from home is always good,” the Utah Valley University Wolverine added. “I don’t get to be home very often with school and all that kind of stuff, so to be around people that give me that home-sort-of-feeling is always good. I love playing golf with them and it’s always a great time being around them.”

Team Ontario finished two strokes back of the champions, while Teams Alberta and Quebec claimed third at even-par 284.

Bursey continues to lead the individual competition following a 1-under 69 to reach 9-under in the competition. The 19-year-old collected three birdies on the day, including two back-to-back on Nos. 6 and 7. Despite already leading Newfoundland and Labrador to unprecedented success at this championship, he remains confident and focused on the task at hand.

“I’ve been a winner at other levels. Junior golf and college…amateur golf is the next step. I feel like I’m in a good place in my development where my game is starting to be at a place where it’s ready to win some bigger tournaments.

“That’s not to say I’m going to go ahead and win this week, but it’s all a learning experience. I’ve never made the cut at this tournament before, so it’s a new experience at a top-level amateur tournament. I’m not afraid of it at all. That’s why I practice and this is why I play the game. I love the feeling of being near the top and certainly being at the top. I’m definitely looking forward to the next couple of days.”

China’s Andy Zhang, a resident of Winter Garden, Fla., shot 2-under and trails the leader by two strokes. Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., collected seven birdies, including four across a bogey-free back nine, en route to the day’s low round – a 6-under 64 showing. Bernard, who finished tied for runner-up honours in the 2015 edition of this championship, moved into a share of third at 5-under alongside Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.

Three players sit T5 fifth at 3-under – National Team member Stuart MacDonald of Vancouver, Travis Smyth of Shellharbour, Australia, who is No. 62 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Elmira, Ont., native Garrett Rank who claimed a share of second last year.

A total of 77 players who finished 5-over 147-or-better have advanced to the final two rounds of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

The gentle rhythm of Smiths Falls, Ont., and its 9,000 inhabitants seem a world and more away from the stark juxtaposition of splendour and squalor that defines Rio de Janeiro.

From its teeming population of 6.5 million to the lush beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. From ocean-side caipirinhas and coconut waters to the soft sounds of bossa nova and the incessant beat of samba.

From the favelas rising like dollhouse-sized shantytowns stretching upwards in the distance. And looming above it all, often lost in the clouds, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, perched atop the mountain of Corcovado, looking benevolently down on this diverse flock, arms outstretched in all-encompassing inclusion.

“Rio,’’ says Brooke Henderson, at 18, despite the fame and accomplishment that has arrived at her doorstep, still very much the teenager from Smiths Falls, “is going to be … amazing. Being an Olympian is going to be … amazing.”

“It’s always been a dream, since I was a little girl. I didn’t know how or what sport or how I was going to do it. But I loved watching the athletes. I loved the desire, the determination, the focus that they had in their eyes.”

“I wanted to be an Olympian. Watching the Vancouver Winter Games in 2010 on TV and the way the whole country came together showed me the power and the amazement of the Olympic Games. To be a part of that will be really cool.”

In an Olympics beset by controversy and withdrawals (particularly in the re-instated sport of golf) during the lead-up, the four-player Canadian golf contingent heading to Brazil has made a pledge: They’re all in.

While Alena Sharp, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn were being officially announced at Glen Abbey Golf Club outside of Toronto, the women’s phenom was out west in Calgary, with the express purpose of checking out Priddis Greens, site of the 2016 CP Women’s Open.

Henderson is making a beeline for Calgary immediately following the Rio experience, and won’t have any time for a tour of the Priddis layout.

Out at Golf Canada Calgary Centre for a junior golf clinic on the day of the Olympic golf team celebration, Henderson’s welcome to Rio was heralded by an honour guard of young Brooke-wannabes brandishing golf clubs in lieu of swords. A television hook-up made her part of the broadcast festivities.

“There’s a lot of stuff going down in Rio right now,’’ she conceded, following a short clinic for the kids and onlookers. “Politics is kind of sketchy and the Zika virus and health concerns. But we’re just trying to make the best decision we can and take everything into consideration.”

“Everybody has their own opinions and their own reasons why they’re not playing in the Games. At the end of the day, you have to respect their opinions because health and safety is more important than just a round of golf. We’re only there for about a week. Hopefully we get in, get out and bring home that gold medal.”

When she tees it up at the brand-new Campo Olímpico de Golfe, Aug. 17-20, Canada’s newest, freshest sports personality will be among every oddsmaker’s medal picks.

That lofty status was assured after Henderson outduelled top-ranked Lydia Ko on the first hole of a playoff to snare the KMPG Women’s PGA Open at Sahalee Country Club near Seattle in mid-June, becoming the youngest-ever winner of a major championship.

On Henderson’s bag in Rio will be older sister Brittany, a pretty fair striker of the ball herself. Brittany admitted the news flashes emanating from Brazil had been initially unsettling.

“It’s been hard to see where the situation really is. You don’t know which outlets you can trust the most, so it’s hard to get truthful information. But I think we feel comfortable enough, and the Olympic Committee is doing everything it can.”

“With it being their winter down there, I think it’s going to be a little bit safer. We’ll probably wear long pants, long sleeves, for more protection. Things like that. Golf is probably more at risk than other sports because we’re going to be outside for eight hours a day. Hopefully the wind comes up. Normally we never wish for winds, but in this case …”

Routine is something taken for granted on a pro golf tour. The Olympics, however, will be an altogether different beast. There’ll be obstacles, both anticipated and unforeseen. The traffic in Rio, for instance, is going to be insane, so just getting to the course

“We’re actually going down for a training camp with Golf Canada; meet in Houston for a couple days before we fly to Rio. I think that’s going to be really important. Just figure things out.”

For the young star, having family so close at hand under an entirely alien sort of competition, under such a different spotlight, is more than welcome. It’s necessary.

Brittany and Brooke Henderson (Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault)

“It’s huge for both of us to become Olympians and to share not only in the Olympic dream together but the dream of playing on the LPGA Tour together,’’ Brooke acknowledged.

“We’re such a team out there. I couldn’t have had the nine straight Top-10 finishes this season, wouldn’t have the two wins, without her on my bag.

She works so hard for me.”

One hundred and 12 years ago, Canadian George S. Lyon won the last Olympic gold medal in golf. In a lovely bit of symmetry, he was born and lived in Richmond, Ont., 522 kilometres, or a five-hour drive, from Brooke Henderson’s hometown.

Next week, a world away from the gentle rhythm of Smiths Falls, in the jumble of splendour and squalor that symbolize Rio, and under the watchful eye of the Christo on Corcovado, Brooke Henderson goes in search of a different sort of legacy.

“Alena and I have become extremely good friends. I’m super happy that it’s her and I representing the women’s die of the team. I think we make an awesome team. Her whole game has improved. I think we have a really good chance of both of us standing on the podium, hopefully one silver and one gold. The men’s side as well, I think we have a solid team. It’s kind of surreal in a way. This is kind of like a sixth major on the LPGA tour and I already have one under my belt, so …”

And, well, she’s always been a bit of a sucker for O Canada.

“Even listening to the anthem at school used to get to me,’’ Henderson laughed. “Before I went to play at the World Amateur Championships (in Japan, two years ago), that’s what I wanted to hear. “I didn’t get that chance then. But now I’ve got another one.”

“You can’t get ahead of yourself, you have to focus on the now, but you also have to be visualize being up there, on that podium, on the top step. In your mind, you have to hear that anthem.’’

She stops, maybe humming a few bars in her head, and smiles the smile of a prodigious 18-year-old with only one aim in mind.

“And, as you know, we’ve got a great anthem.”