‘It was amazing’: Wiffen-fan McIlroy gets his Olympics underway with mixed round

SOLID START: Rory McIlroy, of Ireland, reacts to the crowd after putting on the 5th green. Pic: George Walker IV, AP

Rory McIlroy is in medal contention after he fired a three-under opening-round at the Paris 2024 Olympics to sit five shots off leader Hideki Matsuyama.

Returning to the scene of the 2018 Ryder Cup, McIlroy enjoyed a solid start, bouncing back from a bogey on the par-three second to birdie the third and fifth. 

He finished the front nine with a terrific eagle but did drop four shots over the course of the day including on the 18th.

From the Le Golf National’s picturesque island green, McIlroy pushed a long birdie 15ft past the hole to three-putt bogey.

“A bit up and down which to be expected,” he said afterwards. “I didn’t do a whole lot between The Open and here so some good some not so good. A solid opening round a little disappointing, the three-putt at the last but overall as I said a solid start and something to build on.” 

The Team Ireland golfer played in a group that contained three of the top four ranked players in the world. Ludvig Aberg matched McIlroy’s 68 while American Scottie Scheffler carded a four-under.

That trio were the star attraction on the course. 

The roar when McIlroy’s name was announced from the first tee was deafening. 

He has heard the ‘Allez!’ cheers before at the Ryder Cup. Still, support like this was not anticipated.

“It was very surprising with so many events going on. It is spread all across the city. For people to venture out here and watch us play it was really cool atmosphere to play in.

“Not (expecting) this. I thought maybe the weekend we might get a few more people but the first couple of days might be a little bit quieter. But it was awesome out there.” 

McIlroy was at Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday night to watch American fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram triumph.

“I got to my first event last night watching Rafa (Nadal) and Carlos Alcaraz play doubles. I never watched Carlos play live in person before. I was really excited for that, excited to see Rafa as well. I'd never watched him play on Chatrier before. That was cool to see.

“The atmosphere there was electric when they started to make that little fightback in the second set.” 

As for Daniel Wiffen’s gold medal in the men's 800m freestyle final, McIlroy had to settle for the screen.

“I watched it on TV. It was amazing. The last 100 he swam was incredible. Unbelievable. Apparently, I haven't seen it, but apparently his 1500 is better than his 800. So, I am excited for Sunday as well to see if he can get a second gold.”