Hideki Matsuyama leads men’s Olympic golf after low-scoring opening day at Le Golf National
Report by International Golf Federation
Hideki Matsuyama has given Japan the early lead in the men's Olympic golf competition, after a low-scoring opening round he holds a two-shot lead at Le Golf National.
The 32-year-old, who is making his second appearance at the Summer Olympics after a tied fourth in Tokyo, produced a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 to top the 60-athlete leaderboard on a sultry day in the outskirts of Paris that featured two weather delays.
Defending gold medalist Xander Schauffele from the United States maintained his momentum from winning his second Major title this season at last month’s Open Championship to sit second after a 65.
Joaquin Niemann of Chile, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and Korea’s Tom Kim were then three shots off the lead at five-under-par.
After missing out on a bronze medal in a play-off on home soil at Tokyo 2020, Matsuyama made the ideal start in his bid for a podium finish as he hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens.
The World number 12 enjoyed a fast start with back-to-back birdies at the second and third, before three birdies in succession from the seventh saw him hit the turn in five-under-par.
He then made it four birdies in a row at the 10th before two more gains at the 13th and 14th put him firmly in position to break the course record of nine-under-par 62.
While the early starter on day one of the 2024 Paris Olympics men's golf competition was unable to maintain that remarkable pace, he did stay blemish-free as he parred the tough four-hole closing stretch.
The in-form Schauffele got off to an excellent start with a chip-in birdie at the first, before six further birdies saw him close to two off the clubhouse lead held by Matsuyama.
His lone bogey of the day came at the 17th – just before lightning in the area resulted in a 39-minute interruption. He finished the round just before an additional suspension resulted in a delay lasting just over an hour.
World number one Scottie Scheffler carded a flawless four-under-par 67, while Rory McIlroy made an eagle in a 68 that was matched by Ryder Cup-winning teammate Ludvig Åberg, as the marquee threeball drew big crowds.
Earlier in the day, Victor Perez enjoyed the honour of hitting the opening tee shot on home soil. He recovered from a sluggish start to card four birdies on the back nine and finish at one-under-par, one shot ahead of fellow countryman Matthieu Pavon.
View the full Paris 2024 men's Olympic Golf competition leaderboard here.
