Hideki Matsuyama Leads as Olympic Golf Gets Off to Loud Start

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France (AP) — Victor Perez of France enthusiastically celebrated the start of the Olympic golf competition on Thursday with a large and boisterous home crowd, pumping his fist before the opening tee shot. Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama quietly dominated the course, finishing with an 8-under 63 and taking a two-shot lead at Le Golf National.

Key Highlights:

• Hideki Matsuyama: Matsuyama, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games, had six birdies through 10 holes and finished with a clean card, saving par with a 15-foot putt on the 17th hole. Matsuyama expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged areas for improvement.

• Xander Schauffele: Schauffele, fresh off his victory at The Open Championship, kept pace with a 65, despite interruptions due to storm delays. He demonstrated resilience, including a par save on the 18th after the delays.

• Carlos Ortiz: Ortiz of Mexico was in contention until a double bogey on the 16th hole and a bogey on the last, finishing with a 69.

• Joaquin Niemann, Emiliano Grillo, and Tom Kim: These players were close behind with scores of 66. Kim, who faces mandatory military service in South Korea unless he secures an Olympic medal, stated he wasn’t worried about it affecting his game.

• Scottie Scheffler: Scheffler, with his family in attendance, posted a 67. He remarked on the unexpectedly large and enthusiastic crowd, which added to the event’s atmosphere. Scheffler played alongside Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Åberg, who each shot 68.

Spectator Impact: The presence of nearly 20,000 spectators, enduring the stifling heat and challenging terrain, was notable. The gallery's excitement, particularly for local players like Matthieu Pavon, created a vibrant atmosphere. Pavon’s supporters sang the French national anthem and cheered loudly, enhancing the Olympic spirit.

Player Reactions:

• Collin Morikawa: Morikawa highlighted the significant crowd support, noting it was more intense than a typical Thursday at a regular tournament.

• Xander Schauffele: Schauffele reflected on the difference between the Tokyo Games, held without spectators, and the current lively environment. He appreciated the enthusiastic support and acknowledged the unique Olympic experience.

Overall, the opening day of the Olympic men’s golf competition featured impressive performances and a lively crowd, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.