McIlroy Within Reach of Medal Position After Opening Round 68.

Golf Paris Olympics 2024

McIlroy Within Reach of Medal Position After Opening Round 68.

Rory McIlroy is two shots off the medal positions after shooting a three-under 68 in the opening round of the Olympic men's golf event in Paris.

Rory McIlroy, who carded five birdies and an eagle, fell to a tie for 15th after a three-under 68 due to four bogeys, including one on the 18th hole. He is five shots behind leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who shot a bogey-free 63 with eight birdies at Le Golf National.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele is in second place, two shots behind Matsuyama. 

Schauffele, who recently won The Open and the US PGA Championship, was joined by late finishers Jon Rahm and others in a round briefly halted by lightning threats.

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, and South Korea’s Tom Kim are tied for third with rounds of 66.