Jul 29, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Sepp Straka (AUT) tees off on the first hole during round one of the men's individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Austrian Sepp Straka carded an 8-under 63 on Thursday to secure the first-round lead in damp conditions at the Tokyo Olympics in Kawagoe, Japan.
Straka birdied four of his last six holes at Kasumigaseki Country Club to finish one stroke ahead of Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (64). Germany’s Thomas Pieters and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz are tied for third at 6 under.
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed lead the American contingent, tied for 12th place at 3 under. Collin Morikawa is at 2 under and tied for 20th, while Justin Thomas posted 18 consecutive pars and is tied for 41st in the 60-player field.
Morikawa and Reed, playing in the later groups, were pulled off the course at 1:55 p.m. local time due to inclement weather and lightning in the area. Play resumed at 4:15 p.m. Japan time, with both players restarting on the 14th hole.
–Field Level Media