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| Bubba Watson watches a tee shot during the first round of the Olympics on Thursday. |
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Former Georgia All-American Bubba Watson fired a 2-over-par 73 in the first round of men’s golf in the Olympics on Thursday.
Playing the par-71, 7,128-yard track at the Olympic Golf Course, Watson registered three birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey.
Australia’s Marcus Fraser opened at 8-under 63 to snare the first-round lead. Canada’s Graham DeLaet and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson signed for 5-under 66s.
The no-cut stroke-play event will continue on Friday when Watson tees off 10:09 a.m. with Germany’s Martin Kaymer and India’s Anirban Lahiri. The tournament will conclude on Sunday.
Golf is being contested at the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
Watson, who played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001, is staying in the Athletes Village in Rio and has attended several sporting events, including swimming and diving. And in true Watson fashion, he has posted many photos on social media.
“I want to live the experience, I want to hang out there, meet the other athletes and enjoy my time as an Olympian,” Watson said. “We’ve got golf to play, we’re trying to win a medal. But at the same time we want to be a true Olympian and be a fan of other sports and cheer on other athletes and be part of it. I’m trying to take it all in, do everything and see the sights.”
“I want to live the experience, I want to hang out there, meet the other athletes and enjoy my time as an Olympian,” Watson said. “We’ve got golf to play, we’re trying to win a medal. But at the same time we want to be a true Olympian and be a fan of other sports and cheer on other athletes and be part of it. I’m trying to take it all in, do everything and see the sights.”
