The first round was put on hold for over two hours due to thunder, but ended up resuming for 27 of the 60 golfers who had yet to complete their rounds.
Ranked 161st in the world, Straka, who has a professional title, the KC golf classic (2018) in a parallel circuit at the PGA, had already concluded his day before the interruption. He had eight birdies and made no mistakes.
He was one stroke ahead of the no less surprising Thai Jazz Janewattananond (150th). Behind, with two blows, points a duo made up of the Mexican Carlos Ortiz (61st) and the Belgian Thomas Pieters (120th).
You have to go down to 12th place to find a first player in the world top 10, in this case the American Xander Sc Chaudele (5th), who is five strokes behind Straka.
His compatriot Collin Morikawa (3rd), recent winner of the British Omnium, meanwhile, is in 20th place with a score of -2. He is tied with the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, hero in his country since his coronation at the Masters Tournament in April.
Canadians lagging behind
Ontarians Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes are also among 11 golfers to rank 20th, six strokes off the top.
After bugging the nine to go, Conners went on to record three birdies, including one on the last hole.
No matter the round, it’s always good to finish with a birdie, said the 29-year-old, who is in his first Olympic experience. I was strong enough, but I didn’t give myself as many opportunities to do it [des oiselets] that I would have liked. But I hit the ball well in the fairways and, if I continue to do so, the chances will come.
For his part, Hughes was somewhat disturbed by the interruption. He had just made birdies on the 12th and 13th holes when weather conditions forced play to stop.
Mackenzie Hughes
Photo : Getty Images / Chris Trotman
It’s always difficult, especially when it’s hot like that. We cool down a bit, we have to warm up again and we always feel a little different when we get back on the pitch. It was the case for me during the last holes. I did not have the same feelings as before the interruption. But I played pretty well. Of course, I would have liked to cut two or three more shots, but the tournament lasts four days
, said the 30-year-old golfer.
The second round will be presented on Friday.
