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China's women golfer Lin makes Olympic history with hole-in-one shot (updated)

Xinhua, August 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

China's Lin Xiyu, world No. 58, became the first woman golfer to have finished a hole-in-one shot in the Olympic Games here on Friday as the event made its return to the Olympic stage after 116 years.

"I did not play very well in these days, and lost my control of the distance. Actually, I did not feel something special," said Lin.

"Standing in front of the 8th hole, I expected the chance to come, telling myself to hit the ball as close as possible to the hole. That shot was really fantastic," she added.

Ranked 47th with 4-above-par 146 after the first two rounds, Lin made the historical shot in the 154-yard 8th hole in Friday's round three.

Lin experienced up and downs during the first seven holes, with one birdie and two bogeys, before she stormed to a historical shot in the 8th hole.

"I made mistakes in some shots before, especially in 5-par holes. Today is the third day, so I tell myself to try my best and never give up. My performance in last several holes was a little disappointing, but I was not affected by that.

"Before the Rio Olympics, I hope that more people can see Chinese golfers' play through my performance, but I could not realize this goal if I played just as last two days. Maybe people can see this hole-in-one shot on TV," said Lin.

This was also the third hole-in-one shot in Olympic history as champion Justin Rose of Britain and Jaco van Zyl of South Africa made it in men's event in Rio.

However, Lin still found it hard to maintain her momentum, as she suffered three bogeys and a double-bogey in the next nine holes. She finished Friday's session with 3-above-par 74.

"I did not play well despite that hole-in-one shot, but I should get some positive things from it. Playing on the Olympic stage, I have already realized my dream. I was young and inexperienced, and my ranking was lower than other opponents. For me, it's a learning process," commented Lin.

Shortly later, world No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand also made a hole-in-one shot in the same hole with Lin.

"I'm very happy about that," Lin referred to finishing hole-in-one with Lydia in the same hole. Endit