But not matter what the path, Brooke Henderson simply couldn’t find it, ending the opening round of the Olympics with a three-over 74.
With the rest of her game showing good form, the score was about the highest the 23-year-old could have managed.
Not surprisingly, the Canadian was dead last in Strokes Gained: Putting, giving up more than five shots to the field.
On the front nine, most of Henderson’s attempts were from long range, averaging 26 feet.
“Only one birdie on the card today, which makes it tough to score and obviously a rough finish to get I guess 4-over on the back nine,” she said.
She’s changed putters, changed grips and spent time in the off-season trying to improve her green-reading skills with the help of her sister, Brittany.
She’ll hope that’s the case this week and look to find some magic on the greens the next three days.
The veteran spent a lot of time hitting out of the rough, reaching only six fairways.
“I’m hitting my wedges really well,” she stated.
The Kasumigaseki Country Club was playing long, with organizers stretching out the course that forced golfers to hit long irons and hybrids into a number of holes.
And then there was the heat, with temperatures in the high 30s and the humidity piling on to push the Humidex into the 40s.