There's closing hard on the weekend and then there's what Russian Maria Verchenova did on Sunday at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Verchenova shot a final-round 62, which broke the course record of 63 held by several golfers -- male and female -- over the last two weeks. Her insane final round on Saturday included nine birdies and an ace on the par-3 4th hole.
Verchenova went out in 30 and came home in 32 for the low round of this two-week stretch of golf at the Olympics, which returned for the first time since 1904.
Verchenova makes the fifth hole-in-one of #Rio2016! #Golf#Olympics 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/bSMU8PSMHr
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 20, 2016
The Russian is ranked No. 348 in the world but finished in the top 20 at this year's Summer Games which is at the heart of why these Olympics are interesting. Players we don't often hear from are making noise at an important tournament. Verchenova has actually made a name for herself this week for, of all things, her topless hats. (see below). Verchenova is an aspiring fashion designer who also happens to be incredibly good at golf.
Russia's Maria Verchenova with the scorecard of the week & the hat of the week (or visor?): pic.twitter.com/Wnh3cbxAV3
— Randall Mell (@RandallMellGC) August 20, 2016
"Baggy pants. For females," she told PGATour.com earlier this week about what she finds appalling about women's golf. "I'm not joking. Big T-shirts. That was like, 'Oh my god!' I went to the tour. I said, 'Can I play in tennis dresses?' They said, 'Why not?'"
Look good, feel good, play good? Apparently so on this Sunday for this Russian who will hold the Olympic golf scoring record (for both men and women) for four more years.
