McIlroy and Lowry on American absences and what a gold medal in Paris would mean to them

A gold medal here might not rank up there with the game’s four traditional majors, but context is key. McIlroy is at a peculiar point of his career. He suffered a bronze medal play-off defeat in Toyko. This would mean something.

GOLDEN AIM: Team Ireland's Rory McIlroy, right, and Shane Lowry. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

For better, for worse. Sure, it is a different competition and a scorching climate, but when the Olympics added golf to the programme, it brought all the baggage that came with it. 

That means Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are talking about its place alongside majors, the Ryder Cup and LIV.