Justin Rose makes Olympic golf history with first hole-in-one

Justin Rose of Great Britain celebrates his hole-in-one on the par four 4th hole during the first round of men's golf on Day 6 of the Rio 2016 Olympics

A hole-in-one from Britain’s Justin Rose capped a memorable return to the Olympics as golf’s absent stars received a reminder of what they were missing.

Concerns over the Zika virus, security and a packed schedule meant none of the world’s top four players were competing in Rio, with more than 20 male players opting out of the 72-hole strokeplay event.

But International Golf Federation officials could hardly have wished for a better reintroduction to the Games after a gap of 112 years as Rose and Open champion Henrik Stenson put themselves in contention for a medal behind Australian leader Marcus Fraser.

“It was one of those nice moments,” Rose said of his hole-in-one – believed to be the first in Olympic history – from 189 yards on the fourth. “When you are the first to do something, no-one can take it away from you.

“I give my caddie credit for that one. I was going to hit an eight iron but he told me seven and I went with it for a change and it worked out.”

Brazil’s Adilson da Silva had hit the opening tee shot in front of a sparse crowd at 0730 local time, but spectators continued to arrive throughout the day and the official attendance was given as 6,242, albeit from 8,342 tickets sold.

“It was really fun,” former US Open champion Rose said after a four-under 67. “Still lower numbers of crowds than we are used to, but a lot more of an energetic and passionate crowd and definitely more patriotic.

“People were out there with flags and wearing their various team colours which makes it something unique and different and you feel like you are representing not just Team GB, but a nation as well.”

Asked if the absent players were missing out, the 36-year-old: “This is great competition. You just have to look around at the scale of the Olympic Games and what a big deal it is. This is competition of the highest level and that’s what I live for.

“From that point of view they are missing out on a great competition.”

An IOC review next September may mean golf’s return to the Olympics does not last beyond Tokyo in 2020, but IGF president Peter Dawson hopes that will not be the case.

“It’s the end of a long journey, or the beginning of a new one,” Dawson said shortly after Da Silva had split the fairway with his opening drive.

“We’re off to a great start. I think Adilson said it all there – the relief on his face when he hit a good drive was a lot more than for a normal event. These guys are up for it, which is wonderful to see.”