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RIO DE JANEIRO -- As Australia cheered two of the games best players picking off a handful of high-profile tournament titles earlier this year, Marcus Fraser could only dream about representing his homeland in the Olympic Golf Tournament.Now he is leading it.As silly as that might sound to the average golf fan who might not even know his name, it is just as mind-boggling to the veteran golfer from Corowa in New South Wales who shot 8-under-par 63 on Thursday at the Olympic Golf Course in the sports return to the Games after 112 years.Even just a few weeks ago, Fraser could not have given much hope to being part of the Olympic Games.Im just really embracing the fact that Im here and enjoying it, said Fraser, 38, who competes mostly on the European Tour, where he has three victories, including one earlier this year in Malaysia.That, of course, was overshadowed by the victories posted by countrymen Adam Scott and Jason Day, the No. 1-ranked player in the world who has won three times, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Prior to that victory in March, Scott had won the Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac Invitational.Those two major champions were locks to represent Australia in the Olympics. The only way anyone else could forge their way into the field in Rio was to get inside the top 15 in the world rankings. At No. 90, that was not likely for Fraser.But Scott had long suggested he was not interested in the Olympics, and he withdrew. A potential replacement, Marc Leishman, also backed out, citing concerns over the Zika virus. Day had long expressed his enthusiasm to play in the Olympics, but he also pulled out.Still, Fraser would not be making the trip to Brazil were it not for another Aussie, Matt Jones, deciding not to play. With Scott Hend also qualifying, Fraser ended up being the sixth-best Aussie in the world, but one of the two competing for Olympic gold.Im glad they decided not to come, Fraser said. I really wanted to be here and I think its exciting. But at the same time, Ive really got to respect the decision that those guys made not to be here. They know its a special event, but for other reasons, they decided not to.After a birdie-bogey start, Fraser rattled off four birdies in a row to shoot 31 on the first nine, then added four more on the back for a 32 and a score of 63, giving him a 3-shot lead over Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Canadas Graham DeLaet.Fraser needed just 21 putts and managed to get a good bit of his round completed before gusty winds made for some difficult scoring.I think this is probably one of the best rounds of golf Ive ever played for sure, Fraser said. I think given the circumstances, I was quite edgy and a bit jumpy on the first tee, because its such a big occasion to be here at the Olympics. To manage that and go on to play the way I did is really pleasing and a big confidence boost.It undoubtedly did not hurt Fraser that the Gil Hanse-designed Olympic Course has a bit of a sand belt look. The courses in Melbourne, where Fraser played all of his serious golf, are known for some of the qualities that are seen at the venue here, including the unique bunkering.The golf course feels like it has a lot of strategy to it, he said. They have got the variety to move tees around. They have got so many pins [locations] on the greens, and even though they are not huge greens ... they are designed so well that every hole has its own strategy for different winds.For Fraser, so far so good.Now its a matter of getting down to business after an emotional day resulted in a memorable round.When I tapped in on 18, [it] looked like it was only a 3-footer, but when it went in, I looked down there and grabbed my ball out of the hole and its something Ill never forget, Fraser said. Because its pretty special to be able to shoot that score in the first round that golf is back in the Olympics. Deryk Engelland Golden Knights Jersey . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Malcolm Subban Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-tomas-nosek-golden-knights-jersey/ . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Jonathan Marchessault Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Jon Merrill Golden Knights Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. FARGO, N.D. -- A.J. Jacobson and Paul Miller each scored 18 points to lead North Dakota State to a 92-62 win over Division III-member Minnesota Morris on Sunday.Jacobson and Miller combined for 26 of the Bisons first 36 points. Jacobsons fourth 3-pointer in the first half put North Dakota State up 43-26 3:39 before halftime.The Bison led Minnesota Morris 51-31 at the half. Both teams buried seven 3-pointers before the break.North Dakota Statte went on a 12-4 run to start the second half with 16:09 to play and never looked back.dddddddddddd The Bison shot 50 percent from the floor (31 for 62), hitting 9 of 18 treys.Jacobson was 7 for 9 from the field, hitting 4 of 5 behind the arc.Dylan Erickson led Minnesota Morris with 14 points, hitting 4 of 6 3s. ' ' '