There aren't supposed to be any fans in attendance at the Tokyo Olympics, but there was still something of a gallery following Canadian Corey Conners's group on Thursday.
Conners was paired with Australia's Mark Leishman and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama for the first round of the men's tournament, and will be with them again for Friday's second round. Matsuyama, the reigning Masters champion, is a national celebrity and had about a hundred people -- most wearing the blue or red shirts distributed to volunteers -- gathered to watch him tee off.
"This experience could be the first and last that I ever get to play the Olympics in my home country," said Matsuyama. "Nice to finish with a birdie. Definitely a bright spot out there," said Conners. "Felt like I drove the ball really well, just didn't give myself the opportunities for birdie that I would have liked with the irons."
Canada's men's golf team had a group dinner together on Wednesday night before the first round of the tournament. Because all of them will have to leave the Olympic bubble shortly after their event is done, they decided to wear their distinctive Canadian Olympic team denim jackets that had been designated as the official gear for the closing ceremonies.