Twins Leona and Lisa Maguire working together in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO - They're sometimes teammates, often rivals and always sisters. Identical twins, no less.

Leona Maguire is the world's top-ranked amateur. Lisa Maguire, 15 minutes her senior, is ranked 35th. They are actual Irish twins and both play at Duke, but only Leona is teeing it up in the Olympics. Lisa is caddying for her, somewhat begrudgingly.

"I'd love to be playing this week," Lisa said, "even hitting some of the shots she's hitting."

When an Irish journalist asked if she's just carrying the bag this week, Lisa replied softly: " 'Fraid so."

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So does Leona listen to her advice?

"On occasion," Lisa replied. "I know her game pretty well, but she knows what she's doing. I'm out there for support more than anything else."

From a distance, the 21-year-olds looked almost exactly the same - Irish green golf shirt, white shorts, white cap with ponytail through the gap. Leona wore white golf shoes and Lisa had green gym shoes Wednesday.

Lisa is the better putter, enough that Leona said after an opening 74, "I could have had her hit a few for me."

Leona is the better ball-striker and is confident she would win a heads-up match. She shot a spectacular 6-under 65 on Thursday.

The goal in Rio is to perform well, have fun and still be talking to each other after every round.

"Hopefully (the bag) is not too heavy," Leona said.

This article was written by By Teddy Greenstein from Chicago Tribune and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.