Teeing It Up In Rio

RIO de JANEIRO, Brazil – Former University of Arkansas student-athletes Stacy Lewis and Gabriela Lopez are teeing it up for their respective countries as golf returns to the Olympic Games in 2016.

Lewis, a former No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, is coming off a busy schedule with four tournaments including the British Open and the UL International Crown. Before heading to Rio, Lewis got married. Lewis represents the United States along with teammates Lexi Thompson and Gerina Piller.

Lewis enters the games as the ninth-ranked player and the second-ranked American in the field.

Lopez, who graduated in May, joins Alejandra Llaneza to represent Mexico in The Games. She turned professional in December 2015 with the goal of making the Olympic team. Lopez enters the field as the top-ranked Mexican and the No. 32 player overall.

In her first season on Tour, Lopez has finished in the top-20 five times including a career-best tie for 11th place twice, most recently at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. The format features a 72-hole individual stroke play competition to determine the final places. Players take part in practice rounds Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 15-16. Competition begins Wednesday, Aug. 17 and continues through the weekend.

Golf Channel’s coverage of the Olympics begins with the men’s competition on Aug. 8. Women’s coverage begins with Golf Central Live on Aug. 15-16 and tournament action will air from 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m. CST during each day of the event. Each broadcast is followed by a two-hour Golf Central Live show recapping each day of play.