Australia’s Marcus Fraser closed with a tap-in birdie to maintain the lead after the second round of the Rio Olympics men’s golf tournament.

British Open champion Henrik Stenson and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters, however, are making a charge.

Fraser, ranked 90 in the world, fired a 2-under par 69 to stand on 10-under 132 after 36 holes and sustains hopes of a wire-to-wire victory at the first Olympic golf event in 112 years.

“I played really well,” Fraser said.

“I putted well. I felt comfortable out there and good about things. Hopefully more of the same at the weekend.”

Pieters, ranked 64th, was one stroke adrift after opening and closing with three consecutive birdies to shoot 66 despite playing much of his round in heavy rain and brisk wind.

Bubba Watson had the shot of the day. Photo: Getty

“I putted very well for the course conditions,” Pieters said.

“I finished with three birdies in a row so I was very pleased. It’s not good enough yet. I’m excited about the weekend and just going to enjoy it.”

Sweden’s fifth-ranked Stenson, the top man in Rio after the world’s four top rated players stayed home, birdied three of the last four holes and sank a 90-foot par putt in a round of 68 to stand third on 134.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson had the shot of the day, the American holing out from 93 yards in the fairway for an eagle at the par-4 third.

The ball bounced three times on the green, then backspun into the flagstick and dropped into the cup.