KUALA LUMPUR: Gavin Green will need to deliver an extraordinary performance over the next 54 holes for a podium finish at the Paris Olympics.
The 30-year-old, making his third appearance at the Games, struggled with the challenging Le Golf National course, which he described as a "beast."
He battled to a three-over 74, leaving him tied for 53rd in the 60-man leaderboard after the opening round.
Gavin experienced a roller coaster on his first nine holes, mixing two birdies with four bogeys. He then put up a steadier performance on the back nine, recording seven pars and another bogey on the 17th.
Gavin has plenty of ground to make up as he heads into the second day, trailing leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan by 11 shots.
The 2021 US Masters champion started strong with a bogey-free 63, leading by two shots over reigning gold medallist Xander Schauffele of the United States.
South Korean sensation Tom Kim is part of a three-way tie for third at five-under, alongside Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.