TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-2024 Paris Olympics golf format, explained: Is there a cut, scoring, how to watch

Does the summer of Xander Schauffele continue in France with another Olympic gold medal?TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center Will this be an Olympic moment for world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler? Can Stanford product Rose Zhang win in her Olympic debut like she did last year in her LPGA Tour debut?

There are plenty of exciting storylines during the men’s and women’s golf tournaments at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will be the third time the Summer Games feature golf after it was introduced at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.  

Schauffele, the defending Olympic champion coming off his first two major wins at the PGA Championship and the British Open this season, is hovering around the top of the leaderboard again in the men’s event that’s already underway. Big names like Jon Rahm (Spain), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Rory McIlroy (Ireland) are also in contention as play continues at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, just outside of Paris.

Here’s what else you should know about the men’s and women’s Olympic golf tournaments: 

2024 PARIS OLYMPICS:Follow all of USA TODAY's coverage from the 2024 Paris Games here

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Is there a cut for Olympic golf at 2024 Paris Games?

No. While most PGA and LPGA Tour events feature a cut after two rounds, the Olympic golf tournament does not. All 60 men’s and women’s golfers will advance to the final two rounds of the event. 

How many rounds are played in the Olympic golf tournament?

Like most professional and amateur golf events, the Olympic golf tournament features four rounds of play. The men’s event began on Thursday, August 1 and concludes on Sunday, August 4. The women’s golf tournament at the Paris Olympics begins on Wednesday, August 7 and wraps up on Saturday, August 10.   

How is Olympic golf scored?

The Olympics use a standard stroke-play format for the men’s and women’s golf tournaments, which is similar to most major professional golf events. The golfer who needs the fewest strokes to complete 72 holes (18 each round) is the winner. 

MUST READ:Wyndham Clark's opening round at Paris Olympics did no favors for golf qualifying system

Does the Olympic golf tournament feature a playoff?

It depends, but it’s certainly possible. If two or more golfers are tied at the end of the final round, the tournament would go to a sudden death playoff hole. The tied golfers would keep playing until the tie is broken. Unlike most professional golf tournaments, however, there would also be a playoff to break a tie for second and/or third place in order to award silver and bronze medals. 

What golfers are playing for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

On the men’s side, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa all qualified for the United States. For the women’s tournament, Rose Zhang and Lilia Vu will represent the United States.

How to watch, stream 2024 Paris Olympics golf tournament

• TV Channel: Golf Channel
• Streaming: NBCOlympics.com | NBC app | NBC Olympics app | Peacock | Fubo (free trial)

Every round of the men's and women's golf tournaments at the Paris Olympics will be broadcast live on Golf Channel. You can stream every round of men's golf action at the 2024 Paris Olympics on the go on the NBC app, NBC Olympics app or on NBCOlympics.com by logging in with your TV provider credentials. You can also stream it on Fubo, which carries the Golf Channel and offers a free trial, or on Peacock.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.