Matsuyama leads Olympics golf medal chase

Hideki Matsuyama was the early front runner for the Olympic medal chase as the golf competition for the Paris Olympic Games got underway on Thursday.

The world no.12 signalled his ambitions with a bogey-free eight-under-par 63 to top the 60-men leaderboard at the Le Golf National, holding a two-shot lead over defending gold medalist Xander Schauffele of the United States.

Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, fired five birdies in his front nine and continued his birdie blitz by adding another three more coming home.

Japan’s other flagbearer, Keita Nakajima meanwhile carded a 70 to end round one in a share of 29th place.

Ends.