Driving golf 's popularity

Feng Shanshan shoots her way to historic bronze

China's Feng Shanshan tracks her tee shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the Olympic tournament. Chris Carlson / Ap

Feng Shanshan's bronze medal in women's golf might get lost in the golden shuffle of China's haul in Rio, but it's probably enough to boost the game's profile in the world's most populous nation.

Feng said she coped with the pressure of the Olympic tournament by concentrating on keeping a smile on her face throughout Saturday's final round.

"I made sure that I brought my 'A' game and that I smiled all the time, whether I missed a putt or made a putt," China's only major winner said after carding a 69 to finish 10 under par in the 72-hole stroke play event.

South Korea's Park Inbee claimed the gold at 16 under, five shots ahead of world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who needed a birdie on the last hole to edge Feng for silver.

With the return of women's golf to the Games for the first time in 112 years, Feng saw Rio as an opportunity for more people to get to know her - even though she has achieved some fame on the international pro circuit.

"Back in China you can only see golf on specialized TV channels. Normal people, if they don't play, they never see us," said the 27-year-old.

"But for the Olympics, golf was televised on many channels. Even people that don't play, they actually got to see how great the Chinese players are. So I was like, 'Oh, people back home are watching, so I need to make sure I look nice.' So I smiled all the way,"

Feng debuted on the US-based Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour in 2008 and made history in 2012 by winning the LPGA Championship - one of the five major titles - the first golfer from the Chinese mainland to do so.

Still, the current world No 13 remains relatively unknown. She's rarely recognized even on the streets of her home city of Guangzhou, in Guangdong province.

But with golf getting huge exposure thanks to these Games, Feng envisions an improvement in public perception in China, particularly since the sport at one time was associated with a lavish lifestyle and corrupt officials.

"My bronze medal maybe doesn't mean that much in the whole medal haul, but for myself and the game, it means a lot. I think it will really change the way people look at golf in China," she said.

Zhang Xiaoning, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Golf Association, said Feng's Olympic achievement will help improve the game's popularity among the nation's youth.

"Golf is a different sport compared to our strength events at the Olympics. Feng's medal is proof that China's unique golf program of combining the traditional State-run system and the professional approach works well," Zhang said.

"This Olympic medal will motivate us greatly and will lure more attention and support from the public, social organizations and sponsors to benefit the game's rise in China."

Feng's teammate Lin Xiyu, ranked No 38 in Rio, also put her name in the record book by becoming the first female golfer to score a hole-in-one in the Olympics.

In the men's tournament, Wu Ashun and Li Haotong finished 30th and 50th respectively.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn