Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux surprises and takes the lead in Olympic golf

Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines. Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux gave up her place to her sister at the last Olympics so she could concentrate on the Tour. On Thursday she had the stage to herself at Le Golf National, which made the wait worth it.

Metraux carded a 3 eight times on the front nine — putting her at 8 under par after 28 holes — until wind and a bad putt slowed her down. She still carded a 6-under 66, giving her a one-shot lead over China’s Ruoning Yin halfway through the women’s golf competition.

Lydia Ko, the only golfer to have won medals at the last two Olympic Games, shot a 67 and was just three shots behind the winner. The New Zealand star (who reached world number one at age 17) won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020. A gold would put her in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Colombian María José Uribe, who is bidding farewell to golf at these Olympic Games, shot another 70 and was two strokes behind the winner.

Celine Boutier had the French crowd chanting and singing again, but she had three straight 6s on her card over the back nine for a 76 and fell five shots off the lead.

Nelly Korda, the world number one and defending Olympic champion, had a difficult day and finished six shots behind the winner.

“If I had done this on the last day, or let’s say the third day, then I would be very heartbroken,” Korda said. “But I have 36 more holes and anything can happen.”

After starting off with a 70 on Wednesday, Mexican Gaby López signed a 74 and is eight strokes behind the leader.