Fox has good first round

Two New Zealand golfers today had the honour of playing in the first Olympic golf competition since 1904.

Ryan Fox, the 29-year-old Aucklander, shot a one under par 70 to be tied for 17^th at the end of the day.

His compatriot Danny Lee, 26, fired a 72 and is tied for 34^th.

Fox bogeyed the second hole, but bounced back with two birdies. On the homeward nine he fired three birdies and three bogeys.

Lee, who has made such an impression on the US PGA tour, was one over on his front nine and coming home fired a birdie and a bogey.

He felt he’d hit the ball well, but missed out because of some erratic putting.

“It’s a good course, and they were good conditions,” he said. “It was really easy out there.

“I couldn't hit it any better than I did today, but I've been struggling with my putter for a long time.”

Ironically Australian Marcus Fraser is leading after the first round, having shot a 63 that included nine birdies. Fraser got to Rio because some big-name Australian golfers ruled themselves out of the event.

Behind him, Canadian Graham Delat and Swede Henrik Stenson are tied for second, having shot 66s.

There are 60 in the field.