Preview and Prediction of 2016 Olympic Golf Tournament from Rio De Janeiro

After a 112-year absence, professional golf returns to the Olympics this year. And with the drama of the flow of golfers withdrawing from the competition now behind us, we can focus on the actual golf tournament, which runs from Thursday through Sunday, just like a standard PGA Tour event. 

The players who made the trip to Rio are getting excited. Anirban Lahiri of India said the following, per Golf.com's Alan Shipnuck:

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Now that everyone is here we are all getting over the hype or the fear or the enigma that shrouded this event. You put on your country's gear and right away you feel in your bones this is unique, it's special. There is nothing like this on Tour and there can never be something like this on Tour. All of us who are here are so happy and honored to be here.

"

Forget about who isn't teeing it up in Rio. We get a look at a brand-new, Gil Hanse-designed golf course and get to see the first gold medal in golf since 1904 awarded this week. 

See, it's exciting stuff!

Read on for the full preview.

Tournament Information

Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press

Defending champion: George Lyon (1904)

Where: Olympic Golf Course (7,128 yards, par 71)

When: Thursday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Biggest Storylines

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Golf is back

Certainly, the top storyline related to golf in the Olympics this year is the fact that golf is in the Olympics this year. We've already seen Justin Rose hanging out with countryman Andy Murray and plenty from Rickie Fowler. For the players who are there and embracing the experience, this week represents something unique in the world of golf. And of course, there's a 72-hole tournament to be contested, after which, the first medals in golf since the beginning of the last century will be awarded. 

The course

There was a time when it didn't look like Hanse's Olympic track would ever get finished, and there was much trepidation about whether the oceanfront layout would be up to tour standards. Here's one take from Australia's Marcus Fraser, per Shipnuck:

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It's brilliant, I love it. You step on this course and straightaway it gives you a good feeling. There's lot of birdies out there, but lots of places to get into trouble, too. Putting will be important, as it always is, but it's more of a complete test. There are holes that favor bombers and holes where you have to be very precise. The greens demand a lot of different shots. And you can see how versatile it is, with many different teeing grounds. I expect there will be a lot of yardage changes from day to day, so it will never play the same way twice. It's a great test all the way through.

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Does anyone who isn't a PGA Tour member have a chance at a medal? 

Eighteen of the 60 golfers in the field are PGA Tour members, including the Nos. 5, 6, 8, 11 and 12 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. The following question seems reasonable to ask: Given the top-heaviness of the field, does anyone outside this group of 18 have a realistic shot at a medal, or is this an even more limited field than advertised?

The Favorites

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Rickie Fowler

No. 8 in the world, Fowler arrives in Rio following a tie for 33rd at the PGA Championship. He won on the European Tour earlier this year and is currently seventh on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained.

Sergio Garcia

Veteran and Ryder Cup stalwart Sergio Garcia will be keen to represent his country in Rio. He tied for fifth in his two starts prior to missing the cut at the PGA Championship and is still one of the most formidable players in the world from tee to green. 

Justin Rose

Seventh on tour in strokes gained from tee to green, world No. 12 Rose has embraced the "Team GB" element of the Olympic experience. His form hasn't been the best since a return from injury, but his pedigree puts him on the short list of contenders.

The Dark Horses

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Emiliano Grillo

Assuming he has golf clubs to play with, Emiliano Grillo could surprise in Rio. An expert driver of the ball with top-15 finishes in the last two majors, the Argentine is coming into his own on golf's biggest stages. He could take another big step forward in Rio this week. 

Patrick Reed

Is anyone more pumped to tee it up for his country than Patrick Reed? Reed, who was on the Olympic bubble prior to Dustin Johnson's withdrawal from consideration, has been on cloud nine since finding out he'd be competing for the stars and stripes. If you believe that emotion and desire contribute to strong performances, then the world No. 14 is the best bet this week.

Prediction

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Winner: Henrik Stenson

With so many unknowns, the prudent play is the chalk.

Henrik Stenson's form has been superb in his recent starts. The Swede finished 13th at the Scottish Open, won The Open Championship and finished seventh at the PGA Championship. 

Stenson is third on tour in strokes gained from tee to green and 11th in total strokes gained. 

At a venue with no rough that relies on the wind to defend it, Stenson is a smart pick in either situation. He's fourth on tour in birdie average, which is a boon in prime scoring conditions, and he won The Open Championship amid healthy breezes. 

 All stats via PGATour.com and the PGA Tour Media Guide.