McIlroy two shots off medal spot after opening 68

[CharlieH]

 

Paris 2024 Olympics leaderboard, round one

-8 Matsuyama (Jpn); -6 Schauffele (US); -5 Niemann (Chi), Grillo (Arg), Kim (Kor)

Selected others: -4 Fleetwood (GB), Scheffler (US), Straka (Aut), Rahm (Spa); -3 McIlroy (Ire), Aberg (Swe); level Lowry (Ire); +2 Fitzpatrick (GB)

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Rory McIlroy is two shots outside the medal positions after a three-under 68 in the opening round of the Olympic men's golf event in Paris.

McIlroy carded five birdies and an eagle but his progress was hampered by four bogeys, including one on the 18th hole to leave him in a tie for 15th.

The Team Ireland golfer is five shots adrift of leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who recorded eight birdies in a bogey-free round of 63 to lead at Le Golf National.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele, who recently became the first player to win The Open and US PGA Championship in the same year since McIlroy in 2014, is second, two shots behind Matsuyama.

American Schauffele and Spain's Jon Rahm were among the late finishers in a round that was temporarily suspended because of the threat of lightning.

Chile's Joaquin Niemann, Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and South Korea's Tom Kim are tied for third after rounds of 66.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood and Rahm were among those a further shot off the pace.

 

 

McIlroy's Ireland team-mate Shane Lowry could only manage a level-par 71 as his three bogeys included a dropped shot at the last following the first lightning delay.

After bogeying the par-three second, McIlroy recovered to reach the turn in three under after birdies on the third and fifth were followed by an eagle three at the ninth.

Bogeys on the 10th and 12th dropped him back to one under and while three successive birdies from the 13th put him on four under, his round ended on a frustrating note as he took five at the closing hole following three putts.

McIlroy missed out on a bronze medal in a play-off on his Olympic debut in Tokyo.