Out onto the course. Team Ireland's Rory McIlroy had just teed off, with Shane Lowry out some 90 minutes later. McIlroy had Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Aberg for company and they seemed to be the star attraction. In the flesh, that Rory strut is quite pronounced; it imbues an air of confidence. Scheffler, up close, is stockier than the TV pictures would present. Aberg, the silent partner in the trio.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler having a chat during their opening round at #PARIS2024 #golf pic.twitter.com/g8SpIW3OcK
— James McMahon (@mcmahon31j) August 1, 2024
Over the first few holes it was hard to get a proper look at them on the greens; any decent vantage point was gladly taken. I got a clearer view of McIlroy and Scheffler as they approached the green on the fourth, shouts of "go on Rory; go Rory; Rory, Rory, Rory", whatever you're having yourself, were being bellowed out.
And then I spotted the many Irish who were present on day one. A Wicklow native, now living in Abu Dhabi, spoke with great knowledge on what was happening in front of him, forcing me to give off a vibe that I was also well briefed. On the fourth, Rory made par. Then there was a stampede of sorts to the fifth. Thankfully, Golf National is well sign-posted, and it was at said hole that Rory made his first birdie.
Irish fans at Le Golf National
Irish people were now well dotted around the course, young and old. Irish rugby jerseys, Kerry, Limerick and Monaghan GAA jerseys, not often the Farney is on display at such gatherings, and Carroll Meats, an Offaly GAA reminder of times past.
Two couples from Galway were spending time in Paris for the duration of the Games. A husband and wife from Tipperary and their children were over for six days. They spent yesterday evening watching Carlos Alcaraz win in the tennis. All part of an orderly crowd who had paid €25 in. Not bad.
Perhaps, better value than the food on offer; a burger and chips close to €20. An Olympic merchandise shop was doing great business, again you would question the value. A Miniature Eiffel Tower on sale for €15. The Phryges (two anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, a symbol of France) the official mascot of the Games, are apparently flying off the shelves. One version of them would set you back €35.
Rory McIlroy with an eagle at the ninth during round 1 at #PARIS2024 #golf pic.twitter.com/zA6RmaLhiG
— James McMahon (@mcmahon31j) August 1, 2024
Back out on the course, Lowry's round had begun, but McIlroy was approaching the ninth. There was plenty of space in which to look down on the green. And the Holywood player gave the Irish and many other nationalities who were cheering him on something to jump up and down about when he rolled one in for eagle. Headed for the fifth where Lowry had a birdie, and then waited for him on nine, where he saved par.
Shane Lowry saves par on nine during Round 1 at #PARIS2024 #golf pic.twitter.com/vDCqS6YTfD
— James McMahon (@mcmahon31j) August 1, 2024
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
