112 years on, proud Canadians defend golf gold

An Olympic crown that Canada has waited 112 years to defend will be up for grabs starting Thursday when men's golf makes a much-criticised return to the Games in Rio.

George Lyon won the 1904 St. Louis Olympics title at age 46, the lone Canadian alongside 31 Americans to qualify for the match-play tournament.

But in 1908 when former international cricketer Lyon went to defend the title in London, the golf event was called off after officials from England and Scotland could not agree on a competition format. It has not been played since in the Olympics.

For 112 years, the all-but forgotten crown has lingered in a sporting limbo that lasted long past Lyon's death in 1938 at age 79.

In more than a century, the sport has grown into a global pastime, with new generations from all over the world competing for major titles, millions in prize money and the prestige of being the world number one.

Yet, the prize of Olympic gold hasn't been enough to tempt the world's four top players -- Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy -- who skipped Rio due to concerns over safety and the Zika virus.

That has given the likes of 136th-ranked David Hearn and 145th-ranked Graham DeLaet the chance to retain what has been Canada's for generations. They ranked 35th and 40th respectively in the field of 60 when roster spots were named last month.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity," DeLaet said of defending gold. "It's something that from the time it was announced it was really important to me and I hope to be able to do it.

"Rumor has it that when George Lyon won he walked on his hands to the podium. I don't know if that's true or not. I promise I won't do that."

DeLaet's best major finish was a share of 15th at the 2014 PGA Championship. Hearn's was a share of 21st at the 2013 US Open.

"The fact we're defending gold medal champions is a neat piece of history to be proud of," Hearn said. "Graham and I are going to go down there to try to defend."

Lyon's position was precarious with 71 US players and three Canadians in a 36-hole qualifier. But he blitzed through five matches, including an 11-and-9 victory in round two and a 3-and-2 triumph over Chandler Egan in the final.

- 'Still a tremendous field' -

Despite McIlroy controversially excluding golf from "the stuff that matters" he will watch at Rio from afar, there is tremendous pride for Hearn and DeLeat at representing Canada at the Olympics.

"Watching the Olympics growing up, I know the emotion and everything that was triggered in myself and I'm very excited to be an Olympian and very proud," Hearn said.

And there is little talk of a title tainted by the weakened field. Just like every week on tour, you play whoever shows up.

"We still have a tremendous field even without those players," Hearn said. "The experience of representing your country and being an Olympian outweighs the smaller risks there."

After Presidents Cups and World Cup events, DeLeat finds wearing the flag with the maple leaf is a great honour.

"There's something just really special about just putting your flag on your back and going to play for 35 million people," said DeLaet, who will use former National Hockey League player Ray Whitney as his caddie after his regular bagman, Julien Trudeau, decided to skip Rio.