Shane Lowry offers strong verdict on golf’s place in the Olympics

Shane Lowry’s experience at the Olympics last week was unlike most other golfers in the field.

The Irishman started his week on a boat along the River Seine, bestowed with flagbearer duties for Team Ireland in Paris.

Joined by athlete Sarah Lavin, the 37-year-old had the ultimate honour for the opening ceremony with around 300,000 spectators watching on.

A few days later, Lowry enjoyed another “incredible” moment.

He walked onto the first tee at Le Golf National alongside Byeong Hun An and Nick Taylor to start his second bid for a gold medal.

It was another mid-20s finish for Lowry, however, after failing to reach the podium at the Tokyo Games three years earlier.

But ahead of his return to PGA Tour action this week, the Open champion insisted the result didn’t take the shine off what was one the best weeks of his career.

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“Because we didn’t have crowds in the practice rounds, you couldn’t really get a gauge for what it was going to be like,” he said before teeing it up at the Wyndham Championship.

“Walking onto that first tee and getting announced on Thursday was incredible. I’ve never — you know, there’s very few tournaments that are at that level. Honestly, it felt like one of the biggest tournaments in the world, it really did.

“I think it was an amazing week for golf and it was an amazing week for golf in the Olympics, and I think it will grow going forward.

“Obviously, we had a great podium as well, which helps, and great people to help promote the game.”

Golf’s place in the Olympics has been a hot topic in recent weeks, with debate rife over its format and importance in the context of major championships.

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Lowry, however, certainly wouldn’t welcome its omission.

“I think as regards golf in the Olympics; I think it should be here to stay.

“I think for me personally it was, you know, some of the best ten days of my career from carrying the flag for Ireland in the opening ceremony to going out there and playing for my country, which a lot of Irish people travel to support myself and Rory last week and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“Yeah, it was an amazing ten days. Sort of when I look back on it, it will be something that I remember. I was very disappointed that I couldn’t do a better job, but the whole experience itself, I really enjoyed it.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.