. “We are happy with our play on this first day,” both golfers declared at the end of their respective rounds.

. Japan's Hideki Matyusama, with a bogey-free round of 8 under par, leads the Olympic tournament at the conclusion of the first day.

Jon Rahm and David Puig have passed their Olympic debut at the Golf National in Paris with flying colors, an amalgamation of sensations finally reflected in a simple record with good connotations: 4 under par for Jon Rahm and 2 under par for David Puig, placed in sixth and twenty-first positions with everything still to be decided.

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“I am satisfied with the debut” was the phrase curiously repeated by the two Spaniards in a time gap of three-quarters of an hour, when each one finished his round.

The Spanish representatives experienced on the first day, like the best, the joy of streaks of play full of success and the occasional disappointment of errors that diminished both more than commendable overall performances.

David Puig became Spain's leading contender for much of the round, capitalizing on three consecutive birdies on the front nine to climb to the top of the leaderboard. Another birdie halfway through his round and another on the 11th hole added an impressive 5-under-par score to his card.

On a roll, with the lead within reach, and constantly embraced by a Hideki Matsuyama who was oblivious to the mistakes, David Puig, at only 22 years old and with a clear sense of self-confidence, generated maximum expectations that lost ground, however, thanks to three bogeys in his final stretch, two of them in the last two holes due to two inopportune three putts to sink that generated bittersweet sensations where before everything was pure sugar.

Jon Rahm, for his part, acted as a supporter for much of the round before taking over as commander-in-chief. The Basque golfer sent his fans into a frenzy when he carded a spectacular eagle on the 3rd hole, which was ultimately nullified by two consecutive bogeys on the 7th and 8th holes, sending the Spaniard back to square one.

His characteristic courage and skill, however, then erupted in torrents, like a volcanic eruption. The best version of Jon Rahm brought the thousands of spectators who came to witness the first day to a state of ecstasy with shots that were not only good, but also incredibly spectacular. Two consecutive birdies and an eagle—the latter with an incredible off-center shot from off the green—turned the tournament on its head with four holes to go.

The streak, however, came to an abrupt halt at the most inopportune moment, a ball into the water on the par 3 16th hole that cost him a double bogey, a prelude to a rollercoaster ride of attractions that the final stretch of the round became due to a storm.

The game, momentarily suspended twice, cut short the possibility of another birdie to add to Jon Rahm's tally on the 17th hole. "The suspension caught me at the worst possible moment, when I was about to leave the 18th, one of the tense places on the course," acknowledged Jon Rahm, who couldn't hide his satisfaction at having successfully completed his Olympic debut.

The top of the leaderboard is his goal, initially claimed by someone unaffected by the error that plagued him for 18 holes. Undoubtedly aided by Amaterasu, the powerful Japanese sun goddess, Hideki Matsuyama staged a veritable military march, birdie after birdie, eight in total, to become the undisputed leader after the first day, though with a long road ahead.

Having completed this spectacular start to the tournament, it's true that the Olympic Games aren't yet considered a 'major' in the world of golf, but just two Olympic Games have been enough for the massive crowds to bestow that distinction upon the first three. And, judging by what we've seen on the fairways and greens of the Golf National, with all the participants battling tooth and nail for the ultimate goal, it seems clear that winning in Paris, for the golfer who manages it, will be worth more than anything.