This marked the most remarkable day of golf’s return to the Olympics, a moment that felt long overdue. The Rio 2016 Games faced disruptions from protestors and the Zika virus, while Covid restrictions clouded the Tokyo Games just three years prior for many athletes. But now, at the outskirts of Versailles, Olympic golf has really found its place.
Shane Lowry was taken off guard by the grandeur of his reception, mishitting his first tee shot. Rory McIlroy expressed similar surprise, stating, “Unbelievable,” regarding the enthusiastic crowd.
“I found it surprising. Even with so many events taking place across the city, for people to come out here and watch us play … it created an incredible atmosphere. I thought the weekend might draw a bigger crowd, but the first couple of days have been fantastic.”
McIlroy reflected on the “ghost town” atmosphere of Tokyo in comparison. Jason Day, who missed out on Rio when golf returned to the Olympics after more than a century, hadn’t worn the Australian colors since he was a 17-year-old amateur.
“The first few holes surprised me,” he admitted. “I felt quite nervous standing over that first tee shot, and it took a few holes to settle in.
“We’re not competing for money this week. We’re playing for a medal, and it feels like you’re playing for the love of the game. But it’s a different experience. This is the most nervous I’ve felt standing on a tee wearing these new clothes for the first time.
“It feels great because it highlights how much this means to me. I’m really excited about it.”
Nonetheless, there’s a significant LIV-related issue at play. The Saudi Arabia-backed tour has seven participants in the competition, a figure influenced by the official world ranking system, as LIV events lack ranking status, resulting in diminished standings for its players.
The most notable LIV competitor at this point is Joaquin Niemann, who started his round with a five-under-par 66. The Chilean was careful not to create controversy after signing his scorecard but commented negatively on the fairness of the qualifying process. “You can’t say the best players are here at the Olympics right now,” he remarked.
US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau exemplifies this point, although competition was particularly fierce for a spot on the United States team.
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For Niemann, winning would secure him a crucial exemption into all the majors of 2025. He is eager to participate in DP World Tour events later this year but is uncertain if that will be feasible.
Niemann is also vocal about the Olympic format, advocating for changes that would introduce a mixed-gender competition, a proposal that is being considered for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
He realizes that gold medals hold greater significance than typical golf accolades in his country. “I think only 2% of Chileans know what the PGA Tour or LIV Golf represents,” he noted. “The other 98%, probably even 100%, are aware of what the Olympics mean.”
After an impressive round of 63, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama sits at the top of the leaderboard. Xander Schauffele, the newly crowned Open champion, finished at six under par before the second weather delay requiring closure due to nearby lightning.
McIlroy struggled as he three-putted the last hole for a score of 68. Other players, including Tommy Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler, finished stronger than McIlroy. Overall, it was a day of strong scoring from the 60-man field, although some players struggled, including Wyndham Clark, who shot a 75, and Min Woo Lee, who could only manage a 76.
