Lowry: "I did have a word with myself. ‘You're playing for Ireland and need to show a bit of pride’”

Lowry finished -5 for the tournament, leaving him in a tie for 26th

Everything about it was immense except his play. For Shane Lowry that is the only dose of disappointment in the tonic that was the Olympics. At Le Golf National, the Offaly man finished level par on the final day and five under overall.

Lowry finished tied 26th with the gold medal going to world number one Scottie Scheffler. An awesome back nine saw the American pull clear of England’s Tommy Fleetwood who took the silver medal. Hideki Matsuyama earned the bronze for Japan.

“Ultimately, my damage was all done the first two days,” said Lowry. Two opening level-par rounds of 71 left him out of contention.

“I was going out playing for pride today. I tried my best. It was nice to bounce back. Finish is obviously disappointing enough, but so be it. That is the way it is.

“I was in Tokyo and obviously it was weird with no crowds and COVID and all that sort of stuff. But I mean, this week it just felt like, it has felt like one of the biggest tournaments in the world to be honest.

“Obviously, the majors are up there but the atmosphere this week is as good as any major that I've played. You just hear the crowds roaring for Victor Perez when I was on the 18th green there, and yeah, it has been incredible.

Lowry walks to the 16th hole

“The Irish fans have been unbelievable. Way more support than I thought I would get; way more than I thought I deserved with how I played. They have been incredible and I've enjoyed every minute of it.” He had time to think on Sunday. On the seventh, a sweet strike down the fairway was followed by a long delay as the group ahead finished out. Lowry looked to a French fan waving a tricolour in the crowd and smiled. On the other side, golden fields stretched into the horizon, with two police officers marching through them on patrol.

Finally, he swung with the iron shot and cursed. It came down right of the green, although he managed skilfully to recover for par. The tale of his time in France. It was good, he wanted great.

“This week, I really felt a part of team Ireland. You know, being at the Opening Ceremony, carrying the flag, being there on Tuesday night for Daniel (Wiffen’s) win. Stuff like that has meant a lot to me and I really felt a part of the team this week and I am just disappointed that I couldn't deliver more.” His mind went everywhere. Even to other continents. Lowry is 37 years old. That means he will be 41 for LA 2028. “I'm hoping there's no young whippersnappers coming up that is going to pass me,” he said with a smile.

That thought did provide motivation. He felt part of something bigger.

“It is easy to get down on yourself and not shoot the best score. But I did have a little word for myself. I said, you're playing for Ireland and you need to show a bit of pride and keep going, and I did. That is what kept me going today,” he explained.

“To be honest, being part of the Olympics and being here for the week, it would make me want to come back as a fan more than anything else. To see even the success Ireland have had so far has been amazing.

“I'm sitting there last night on my phone watching Rhys on the pommel horse, which I know nothing about. I'm cheering him on and I'm delighted when he finishes because he looks like he did great. I’ve no idea what is happening. Even feeling part of the team, it has been so special.”