It took about an hour to get from the centre of Paris to Le Golf National, the venue where 60 of the world's top players will battle it out for medals over four days of stroke play in the men's competition. The women's equivalent will take place next week, from Wednesday to Saturday.
It's the third time that golf is being played at an Olympics, despite calls from some that the sport should not be included. Well, it's in now and it's most likely going to stay, with Olympic officials close to finalising a team competition for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. One option currently being discussed is 36 holes of four-ball to decide the team medallists.
But back to the here and now. The temperatures were in excess of 30 degrees, even before midday. Play was well under way at that stage. Before I entered the arena, I stepped into the press room - quite spacious - and then I headed to have a look at RTÉ Radio commentary position. A tight space that RTÉ Radio commentator Gary Moran will be operating in over the weekend.
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
A cooling breeze was tempering the heat; and just as well.
Golf National is a well-appointed parkland course and it was the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup, won impressively by Europe. The layout overlooking the 15th and the 18th is pleasing on the eye. The water hazard near those two holes is an obvious danger; most semed to avoid it.
The course was designed in 1991 and hosts the French Open each year. Three years of work were needed to transform this previously flat 139-hectare site into a venue that includes two 18-hole courses and a seven-hole beginner course.
Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters Champion, set the early pace and he had the lead to himself at the end of the day. Word had come through that McIlroy had dropped a couple of shots.
The cooling breeze was now accompanied by menacing clouds and an announcement came through to the press room that thunderstorms were due at 4.20pm.
More and more crowds were gathering at the 18. Wyndham Clark, Matsuyama and Tommy Fleetwood got a great reception as they finished. And then came McIlroy, Scheffler and Aberg. Rory had a putt for birdie but pushed it towards the edge of the green. He couldn't make the save and the strut as he walked off lacked a certain poise. He finished three-under, five behind Matsuyama. Due to lightning, play was then temporarily suspended. It arrived ahead of schedule. A restart at 5.05pm we were told.
Returning to the press room and the place is a hive of activity. Heavy-duty cameras took up a lot of space on the tables as the journos filed their copy. A volunteer refilled the coffee pots, but the apples and bananas still looked worse for wear. Not edible.
All in all an enjoyable day.
Despite the weather alert, crowds are still present on the gallery at 18. Beyond that others are enjoying the vista.
Word comes through that Rory McIlroy only spoke to those in the media huddle afterwards, did not speak to individual broadcasters. We're told he'll speak to the latter, including RTÉ, on Friday.
He apparently was "sickened" by that bogey on 18.
Tomorrow's another day Rory.
Watch the 2024 Olympic Games with 14 hours of televised action on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player each day. Listen to extensive radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 and 2fm's Game On and follow each moment from Paris on RTÉ.ie, the RTÉ News app and all RTÉ digital platforms. Listen to the daily RTÉ Sport Olympics Podcast.
