Marcus Fraser gets his Olympic chance, opens with 8-under 63

RIO DE JANEIRO — Four mates from Australia had to opt out of playing in the Olympics for Marcus Fraser to get to the Rio Summer Games.

He took full advantage Thursday in the first round.

Fraser set an Olympic Golf Course record with an 8-under-par 63 to grab the clubhouse lead early in the first round. Fraser, who got to Rio when world No. 1 Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Matt Jones decided not to play, birdied five of his first six holes and then added four more birdies on the back nine to more than offset his lone bogey on the second hole.

“That first tee shot … I was a little jumpy,” Fraser said. “Right now I have the Olympic record. That’s pretty cool. Every week we play for ourselves. This week we’re playing for you country … and yourself. This is one of the best rounds I’ve ever played, given the circumstances.

“ … This is one thing I will look back on and remember forever. And this is for my kids. This is pretty special.”

Those would be Archie, 7, and Lilly, 5.

“They’re going to wake up in the morning in a state of shock that their old man is leading the tournament for now,” Fraser said.

Fraser watched the world ranking list after the four aforementioned players pulled out. One day he was on the team, the next he wasn’t. But he always knew he wouldn’t have made the team if the four hadn’t opted out.

“I’m glad they decided not to come,” Fraser said. “I’m really glad to be here. At the same time, I fully respect their decisions. I’m embracing the fact that I am here.”

BEST IMAGES FROM AUG. 11 AT THE OLYMPICS