THE 2 EVENTS
1 men's tournament (60 players)
1 women's tournament (60 players)
THE FORMAT
72 holes of individual stroke play (4 rounds of 18 holes). The players with the 3 lowest cumulative scores will be awarded gold, silver and bronze respectively.
In the event of a tie for any of the top 3 positions, a 3-hole playoff will determine the medal winners.
LES GRANDES DATES
15th century
According to historians, the game of golf originates in Scotland, where it is played by shepherds.
1754
Foundation of the Society of Saint Andrews Golfers, which becomes the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews in 1834.
1844
The first set of rules is drawn up by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
1860
The first British Open is played in Pretswick, Scotland, and won by Willie Park, Sr.
1895
The first US Open is won by 21-year-old Englishman Horace Rawlins.
1897
The rules of golf are codified by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
1900-1904
Golf features at the Olympic Games in Paris and St. Louis. Golfers will have to wait 112 years for its return.
1916
A third major tournament, the PGA Championship, is created, and won by Englishman Jim Barnes.
1927
The very first Ryder Cup is dominated by the United States, who beat Great Britain by a landslide score of 9½ - 2½ points.
1934
The creation of the Masters in Augusta means that golf, like tennis, now has 4 majors.
1962
Jack Nicklaus wins the US Open, the first of his record 18 victories at major championships.
1986
Jack Nicklaus comes full circle by winning his 18th and final major at the Masters in Augusta.
1997
The birth of a champion. Tiger Woods wins the Masters at the age of 21, several months before becoming the youngest ever world number 1.
2016
Golf returns to the Olympic programme in Rio, after a 112-year absence.
LES STARS
Jack Nicklaus (United States)
The best of the best. With 18 major wins, including his final Masters victory at the age of 46, the American is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. "The Golden Bear" had over 100 professional wins, 73 of them on the PGA Tour. He finally called time on his stellar career at the 2005 British Open, aged 64, at Saint Andrews, the spiritual home of golf.
Gary Player (South Africa)
One of only five golfers to have completed a career Grand Slam, "The Black Knight" won 9 majors, including 3 British Opens and 3 Masters. Short in stature (1.68m), but a giant on the greens.
Arnold Palmer (United States)
The third member of the "Big Three", along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Winner of 7 majors: 4 Masters, 2 British Opens and 1 US Open. Only the PGA Championship eluded him. The first superstar of golf's television age, "The King" enjoyed a famous rivalry with Nicklaus. He even had a drink named after him!