Rose makes history as Fraser leads the way in Rio

Australian Marcus Fraser leads the way in Rio following an impressive opening day 8-under 63 but it was Justin Rose who stole the show at the games.

The Englishman notched an incredible hole-in-one on the par 3 fourth which sparked wild celebrations with the watching crowd and playing partners Rickie Fowler and Jhonattan Vegas.

Golf’s long-awaited return following a 112-year exile from the Olympics was finally ended at 7:30am local time as Brazilian Adilson da Silva teed off to mark the historical occasion.

It was Fraser who stormed out front with an impressive front nine of 31 with the 38-year-old backing his positive play up coming home in just one extra shot.

Canadian Graham DeLaet and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson are the Australian’s nearest challengers just three shots back after a pair of opening day 66’s.

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters sits on 4-under along with Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and German Alex Cejka in what is a conjested leaderboard following Thursday’s action.

Team GB’s Justin Rose also sits 4-under after a 67, while team-mate and countryman Danny Willett had a mixed day shooting a level par 71 to sit T27.

Among the big names there were struggles for Team USA as Rickie Fowler (75) and Bubba Watson (73) sit well off the leading pack.

German Martin Kaymer and Spaniard Sergio Garcia remain in contention at 2-under, while Irishman Padraig Harrington has thrown his name into the mix for the remaining three days with a 1-under 70.

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.