Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry taken aback by level of support after mixed opening rounds

Shane Lowry admits to goose bumps on the first tee as Irish supporters flock to Le Golf NationalRory McIlroy of Team Ireland throws and catches his ball marker on the 18th green during the first round of the Olympic men’s golf tournament at Le Golf National in Paris. Rory McIlroy graded his performance as “solid”, while Shane Lowry was more critical after the first round of the men’s Olympic competition at Le Golf National on a hot muggy day outside Paris.McIlroy shot a three-under-par 68, a three-putt bogey on the 18th leaving him chastened and of a mind to be mildly frustrated. Lowry was three shots behind McIlroy on level with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama sitting on top of the leader board on eight under after a day when the weather twice interrupted play.Lowry was asked if he was happy with his day’s work.“No. No. It doesn’t take a genius to work that out,” he said. “No, bad finish. I gave myself a lot of chances in the middle of the round, didn’t convert them and then to finish like that. I think it is probably the worst score I could have shot, which is very frustrating.”