Applications » seems like it was a great atmosphere down there

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Prior to golfs inclusion in this summers Olympic Games for the first time in 112 years, Rory McIlroy not only withdrew his name from the competition, but insisted he would only watch the stuff that matters.As it turns out, he did watch the mens golf tournament -- if only the ending.It pleasantly surprised me, McIlroy said Wednesday of Justin Roses narrow victory over Henrik Stenson. There was more people at the golf events than there was at the athletics. It was good to see, it really was. It seems like it was a great atmosphere down there. I think it was one of the cheaper tickets, as well, and I think that encouraged a lot of people to go.To see the crowds and see the turnout, I was glad to be somewhat proven wrong.McIlroy wasnt the only elite golfer to forgo the Olympics, joining a list that included fellow world top-4 players Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson. Nor was he the only one impressed at what he saw from the comforts of home.It came off, I thought, tremendous for the game, Spieth said. I enjoyed watching the finish to the Olympics and I wished I was there.Spieth previously made an 11th-hour decision to withdraw from the tournament over various health concerns, a decision he said he agonized over right until he finalized it.At the time I made the decision, it was the right decision for me, he continued. It was the hardest thing Ive had to do. The potential for regret was going to be there and it certainly was while I was watching, so thats why I tweeted out, Im looking forward to setting it as a goal to be there in 2020.Unlike McIlroy, who had been on vacation and without television coverage until the final hole on Sunday, Spieth said he watched from beginning to end.His favorite part?The passion that everyone was displaying; the videos I was getting from [U.S. team member] Rickie [Fowler] of all the guys and just how much fun everybody was having on and off the golf course, he said. The golf course was beautiful, and then the Olympic glory at the end of it. The combination of just about everything. It was from when I watched the opening ceremonies and on. I knew that the opening ceremonies would be tough, but I still wanted to watch, like I watch every Olympics.The games No. 1-ranked player, Day stopped short of allowing that he felt any pangs of regret, but was similarly impressed with how golf was viewed.Seeing how everything kind of unfolded in Rio with how the golf was played, I think it was well-received amongst the world, actually, he said. I guess theres a lot more fans that can actually watch golf now that have never really watched it before, just because its in the Olympics. ... Im looking forward to Tokyo [in 2020]. If I can play my way on to that team, that would be great. Its four years away, obviously. Theres a lot of golf to be played from now until then. If I can play my way onto that team, that would be fantastic.Golf has already been guaranteed a place in the next Summer Games by the IOC, though its long-term inclusion remains uncertain.I would have really liked to play in the Olympics, but unfortunately where it was and all the other things that went along with it was my reason for not going, Johnson said. Nothing to do with golf in the Olympics. I thought it was great. I would have loved to have gone and played. But to me the risk wasnt worth it. So that was the reason I didnt go. But I would have really liked to have gone. I think it would be a neat experience and a lot of fun, and especially winning a gold medal would be even more fun.From top players who bypassed the Olympics for health concerns to those who suggested it was an event that didnt matter, they all took notice of their peers.Even McIlroy, who admitted he was wrong about golfs inclusion.I thought golf was sort of going to get lost a little bit, he said. It was away from the village; I thought it was going to just sort of blend in with everything else and be, not forgotten about, but just one of a lot of sports that are there. Wholesale NFL Store . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. NFL China Factory . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. http://www.cheapnfljerseysbest.com/ . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Discount NFL Jerseys . 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However the Purple Aces have likewise dropped all four road contests.Jaylon Brown added 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists for the Purple Aces, who controlled most statistical aspects of the game.Evansville outshot Norfolk State 54.2 percent to 41.5 percent, held a plus--16 advantage at the foul line, and won the rebounding battle 38-24.ddddddddddddZaynah Robinson also drilled six 3s for Norfolk State, and led the Spartans (2-9) with 25 points.Evansville held a 17 point lead at halftime and stretched it to 19 on a Taylor 3 with 11:16 left in the game. Norfolk State managed to battle back to 71-61 with 5:25 to go, but got no closer. ' ' '