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Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm are tied for the lead after the first round of the Olympic golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Both Americans shot 68s to finish one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy, who is tied with Sepp Straka for second place.
Schauffele, the world’s fifth-ranked player, made five birdies and two bogeys, while Rahm, the world’s second-ranked player, had six birdies and three bogeys. If either golfer wins the gold, they will become their country’s first gold medalist in men’s golf.
McIlroy, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, made four birdies and one bogey, while Straka, an Austrian ranked 161st in the world, made five birdies and two bogeys. Straka’s performance is one of the tournament’s biggest surprises so far. It’s the first Olympic golf tournament in which the best players in the world are competing.
LIV golfers given qualification path to The Open:
The R&A has unveiled a new qualifying route that lets LIV players earn spots at The Open – a sanctioned pathway back into major-championship contention that reshapes eligibility.
Early U.S. beatdown disproves one lazy Ryder Cup storyline:
A blistering early U.S. surge demolished the idea that momentum is meaningless – proving a fast start can swing matchplay and bury tired Ryder Cup clichés
In a recent episode of the Subpar Podcast, Olympic great Michael Phelps drew parallels between golf and swimming, highlighting the mental challenges and the need for focus and patience in both sports. Phelps also shared a quirky anecdote about using an Olympic medal as a ball marker, offering a glimpse into the lighter side of his golfing experiences. The discussion emphasized the importance of mental fortitude and the pursuit of excellence in both golf and swimming.