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Golf is back in the Olympics and returned with a bang, as low scores were the order of the day in benign conditions. Can Aussie Marcus Fraser maintain his lead, or will someone jump out of the pack to challenge? Join The Roar for all the coverage of Round 2 from 8:30pm (AEST).
With the golf course’s greatest protector, the wind, absent, the Olympic field took advantage of the soft conditions.
Fraser was superb in firing a scintillating -8 (63) to sit three strokes clear on top of the leaderboard, using his precise iron and wedge play to pepper the flagstick, allowing him to convert numerous birdie chances.
The Australian leads the duo of Henrik Stenson and Graham DeLaet, who shot matching rounds of 65 (-5).
Justin Rose is a further shot back at -4 in a group of five punctuated his round with a historic hole in one on the par 3 fourth hole. Other notable players who played well and sit just outside the top ten is the threesome of Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, and Matt Kuchar all shooting -2.
The biggest disappointment of the day was the play of the highly fancied Team USA, who – with the exception of Matt Kuchar – all shot over par: Patrick Reed (+1), Bubba Watson (+2), and Rickie Fowler (+4). They need to shoot well into the 60s tomorrow to keep themselves in the tournament.
Another player over par is Aussie Scott Hend, who was placed well at -3 until a dreaded quintuple bogey on the par 5 10th ruined his day, leaving him at +3.
Prediction
Stronger winds are forecast, which should make low scores harder to come by on Day 2. Fraser’s newly minted course record should be safe, as should his lead.
His greatest challenge will come from Stenson, Rose, and the underrated Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4).
Expect Fraser to get to double figures under par and maintain a two to three-shot lead, with a bunched chasing pack behind him heading into the weekend.