An Olympic great was in town, the sun shone, thunder struck, and many of the best in the game starred as big crowds gathered on the opening day of the men’s golf competition at Le Golf National.
Swimming great Phelps enjoys Olympic energy
When it comes to Olympics royalty, Michael Phelps is arguably the king among all. The American great is working in Paris as an analyst for NBC Sports’ swimming coverage and took in the action on Thursday as the golf got under way. A known golf enthusiast, having played in the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship along with several Pro-Ams on the PGA TOUR, Phelps shared interactions with some of the players as they made their entrance onto the first tee. But it was the reception home favourite Matthieu Pavon enjoyed at the opening hole that left the biggest mark on Phelps. “When Matthieu Pavon came up to the tee and the whole entire audience just started belting out (the national anthem), it was absolutely incredible,” he said. “I mean, the hair on my arms were sticking straight up, and I think it really shows what the Olympics is. The Olympics is about bringing so many countries together in one city to compete.”
This wins the gold medal for best selfie. 🥇🤳#OlympicGolf https://t.co/uMi8AFT0y1 pic.twitter.com/z8HjHFNfxx
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 1, 2024
Team GB tennis player takes in the golf
Golf seemed to be a hot ticket on the opening day, with British tennis player Joe Salisbury among those on site as he took in some elite live sporting action. The doubles specialist, ranked sixth in the world rankings, was keenly following the fortunes of Team GB's Tommy Fleetwood, while he also watched the marquee grouping of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Åberg. Speaking to the DP World Tour from on site at Le Golf National, he said: "I finished earlier than I’d have liked to in the tennis but had a day off and wanted to watch some other Olympic events. I love golf so was keen to come down to this amazing course and watch some of the top players in the world." Earlier this week, Andy Murray spoke of his desire to become a scratch golfer after his retirement from tennis and Salisbury also plays the game to a good level. "I am a very keen golfer, officially I am off four. But I’m up and down and have been playing golf for a long time. Andy is very keen too and I am sure he will be getting to it a lot more when he has finished playing tennis."
Friends and family
Much of what makes the Olympics so special is the chance for family and close friends to shared in the joy of competing in sport's biggest global spectacle. Matteo Manassero is one of the standout stories in golf, having enjoyed a remarkable renaissance over the past couple of years. The Italian, the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, won twice on the Challenge Tour last season to earn his return back to the DP World Tour. He has since ended his long wait for a fifth DP World Tour title with victory at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa, while his good form has also seen him appear in the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. His wife Francesca is on hand to offer her support among the crowds this week and she couldn't hide her delight when the DP World Tour caught up with her. “I am so proud of Matteo and happy to be here," she said. I caddied for Matteo last year on the Challenge Tour and we won twice! This is great." Manaasero would go on to post a two-under-par 69 to sit just outside the top 20 on the leaderboard.
In the full swing of things now.#OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/xLnXLEJaCm
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 1, 2024
Matsuyama sets the pace from Schauffele
Three years after missing out on a bronze medal in a play-off on home soil, Hideki Matsuyama made an excellent start in his quest for a podium finish. The 2021 Masters champion holds a two-shot lead after a low-scoring opening round. "Today's result was good," he said, before warm sunny skies were replaced by lightning which forced two separate suspensions to play for the latter starters. "So I'll take that as a positive. My putts went in the cup well today. My shots went into the fairway, too. So I had a lot of chances, so I'm happy." Defending gold medallist Xander Schauffele from America maintained his momentum from winning his second major title this season at last month’s Open Championship to sit second after a 65.
Setting the standard in the first round. 🇯🇵
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 1, 2024
Hideki Matsuyama leads after an 8-under 63.#OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/qNvf8Ujqj9
Perez humbled by first tee honour
France is represented by dual DP World Tour and PGA TOUR members Victor Perez and Matthieu Pavon this week. The honour of the opening tee shot went to Perez, with Pavon put into a marquee group in recognition of his rise to prominence over the last year. A passionate home crowd welcomed Perez onto the opening tee, and the three-time DP World Tour admitted the reception he received created an atmosphere that is unlikely to be replicated elsewhere in his career. “It's definitely a once in lifetime [experience]. I'll never hit this tee shot ever again," he reflected after recovering from a sluggish start to card four back-nine birdies in a one-under-par 70. “Opening the games in Paris, being French and having all the home support. There wasn't going to be more pressure whether I was there for 10 minutes or four minutes, so I was just like, you may as well be there and then try to just take it all in, enjoy the people and it was great.”
