Schauffele just two shots behind

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama has snatched the lead on the first day of the Olympics Golf Championship 2024 in Paris.  The 32-year old shot a superb round of 63 at Le Golf National golf course near Paris to secure the number one spot on 8-under par for a two-shot lead over America’s Xander Schauffele.  Matsuyama and Schauffele both played great rounds of golf at Le Golf National.  Indeed, Matsuyama turned the clock back to 2021 when he became the very proud first Japanese player to win one of golf’s Majors – the Masters at Augusta National.

 

Xander Schauffele is the defending Olympic Champion having won the Gold Medal in Japan in 2021.  Not only that, his golf is on a high at the moment having won two Majors this season – the US PGA and the Open.

 

Schauffele’s only mishap at Le Golf National was at the par-4 17th hole where he pulled his drive into the rough and, alas, could not save par.  The 30-year old from California played the first 14 holes in 7-under par.  The two star players made golf look an easy-peasy sport which delighted the enthusiastic crowds.

 

The rest of the 60-strong field is tucked-in tightly behind the leaders.  In a share of third spot is Joaquin Niemann (Chilli), Emiliano Grillo (Argentina) and Tom Kim (South Korea) on 5-under.

 

One shot behind are Tommy Fleetwood from Great Britain who lies in a share of 6th spot together with Ryan Fox (New Zealand), Sepp Straka (Austria), Sami Välimäki  (Finland), Erik van Rooyen (South Africa) and Major winners, Jon Rahm (Spain) and World Number One player, Scottie Scheffler (USA).

 

Hideki Matsuyama’s incredible 63 is just one shot off the course record set by Eduardo Romero in 2005.  How will the players fare on day two of the Men’s Individual Strokeplay Championship at the Olympics?  Stay tuned!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama takes the first round lead at the Olympics Paris 2024.