In the first round of men's golf at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rory McIlroy finished tied for 14th with a score of 68, while Japan's Hideki Matsuyama leads with an impressive eight-under par. McIlroy's round included three birdies and three bogeys, and he aims to improve in the remaining rounds after a strong performance in Tokyo 2020. Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, is in second place at six-under, with several players tied for third at five-under.

French fans enthusiastically supported their players during the first day of golf at the 2024 Olympics, reminiscent of the 2018 Ryder Cup held at the same venue. The atmosphere was electric, with players like Matthieu Pavon receiving passionate cheers and chants from the crowd, even surprising seasoned competitors like Xander Schauffele. Despite interruptions from stormy weather, fans remained enthusiastic and engaged throughout the event.

The 2024 Paris Olympics marks the second time Olympic golf has been held in France, the first being in 1900, which was characterized by confusion and a lack of awareness among competitors about the event's significance. The 1900 tournament, part of the World's Fair, featured mostly wealthy Americans and Brits, with winners receiving porcelain bowls instead of medals. Key figures included Charles Sands, who won the men's event, and Margaret Abbott, the first female Olympic golf champion, who remained unaware of her achievement throughout her life. The article highlights the bizarre history of Olympic golf and the unique circumstances surrounding its early competitions.

Polly Mack leads the Portland Classic with a career-low 9-under 63, while Russian rookie Nataliya Guseva and others trail at 8 under. Mack, who excels in driving distance, aims to improve her ranking and secure her LPGA card. Guseva enjoys her game, and last week's winner, Lauren Coughlin, also performs well, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

Grace Kim surged into contention at the LPGA's Portland Classic with a six-under-par performance, finishing three shots behind leader Polly Mack, who achieved a career-best round of nine under. Mack, despite a challenging season, expressed joy at her performance, while Samantha Wagner, who had to qualify for the tournament, also showed promise. Other notable players include Emma Talley and Lauren Coughlin, who tied for seventh.

Dewi Weber overcame a tough start at the Portland Classic, where she was one over par after nine holes, to achieve seven consecutive birdies, finishing with a six-under par 66. Despite struggling with her swing early on, she found momentum and improved her game, showcasing her short game skills. This round marks her lowest score at Columbia Edgewater and comes in her second LPGA Tour start of 2024.

At the Portland Classic, Polly Mack leads with a bogey-free 63 at 9-under, showcasing the benefits of her time on the Epson Tour. Close behind are Samantha Wagner, Nataliya Guseva, and Hyo Joon Jang at 8-under, all of whom have ties to the Epson Tour. Wagner emphasizes the competitive nature of the Epson Tour in preparing players for the LPGA, while Guseva and Jang also highlight their successful transitions from the Epson Tour to the LPGA. Daniela Darquea rounds out the top five, aiming for her first LPGA win after multiple top-10 finishes.

Ryan Hall leads the Utah Championship with a career-low 9-under 62, marking his first lead in 20 Tour starts. Ollie Schniederjans, Carter Jenkins, and Roberto Díaz follow closely at 8-under 63. The first round saw 13 players finish bogey-free, with notable performances from Daniel Summerhays and Jeffery Kang, both tied at 7-under. Hall emphasized the importance of a strong start and expressed his desire to secure a spot on the PGA TOUR next season.

Karl Vilips, a recent Stanford graduate and former YouTube child star, is thriving on the Korn Ferry Tour, recently finishing runner-up at the NV5 Invitational. With a strong amateur background and a commitment to professional golf, he aims to secure a PGA TOUR card. Vilips emphasizes the importance of time management and rest in his transition to professional play, while also acknowledging the challenge of maintaining his YouTube channel as he focuses on his golf career.

During the opening round of the 2024 Olympic men's golf competition in Paris, Hideki Matsuyama led the leaderboard with significant fan support, as approximately 30,000 spectators attended the event, creating an energetic atmosphere. Players expressed surprise and delight at the enthusiastic crowds, highlighting the positive impact of the Olympics on golf's popularity.

The first day of golf at the Paris Olympics featured an "awesome atmosphere," with players like Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy praising the enthusiastic crowds. Schauffele, who shot a 6-under-par 65, noted the lively environment compared to the fanless Tokyo Games. The event saw low scores due to favorable conditions, with many players performing well, and the crowd's energy added to the excitement, reminiscent of a Ryder Cup atmosphere.

Hideki Matsuyama leads the men's golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympics after round one, scoring -8 with no bogeys. He showcased excellent skill, taking advantage of favorable conditions, and expressed satisfaction with his performance. Matsuyama will tee off in the second round alongside Wyndham Clark and Tommy Fleetwood, holding a two-stroke lead over Xander Schauffele.

Shane Lowry, after a challenging first round at the Paris Olympics, is eight shots behind the leader, Hideki Matsuyama. Despite a level-par 71, Lowry remains optimistic, stating that a strong performance in the next round could improve his standing. He enjoyed the support from Irish fans during the round and aims to regain focus and improve his game.

Wyndham Clark had a disastrous opening round at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring 75 and tying for 56th place. His round started poorly with a bogey, double bogey, and another bogey, including two tee shots that found the water. Despite three birdies later, he ended up four-over-par, trailing the leader by 12 shots. Other American golfers performed better, with Xander Schauffele in second place and Scottie Scheffler tied for sixth.

LIV Golfers had a strong start at the men's Olympic golf tournament, with Joaquin Niemann leading at five-under-par, followed closely by Jon Rahm. Niemann's performance included an eagle and four birdies, placing him T3rd, while Rahm shot four-under in a challenging round. Other notable performances included Carlos Ortiz at three-under and Mito Pereira at two-under. The tournament is significant for LIV players as winning a gold medal grants entry into all Majors next year.

In the first round of the Paris 2024 Olympic golf event, Xander Schauffele finished in second place at 6-under par, while Scottie Scheffler was tied for sixth at 4-under. Collin Morikawa ended at 1-under, tied for 29th, and Wyndham Clark struggled with a score of 4-over, tied for 56th. Hideki Matsuyama leads the tournament at 8-under par.

Carlos Ortiz, a Mexican golfer competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is in contention for a medal after shooting 3-under-par 68 in Round 1, placing him tied for 14th. This is his second Olympic appearance, having previously finished 42nd in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ortiz, 33, currently plays on the LIV Golf Tour and has one win in three years with the tour. He will tee off for Round 2 at 4:22 a.m. ET on Friday.

Indian golfer Diksha Dagar will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics despite being involved in a car accident that hospitalized her mother. Dagar, unhurt in the incident, is set to represent India alongside Aditi Ashok in the women's golf event from August 7-10. The accident occurred while the family was returning from an event, and her mother's spinal injury is currently being assessed.

Hideki Matsuyama leads the Olympic Men's Golf competition with an opening round score of 8-under 63, using a set of Srixon Z-Forged II irons and various clubs including a Srixon ZX5 LS driver and TaylorMade Qi10 3-wood. The competition is held at Le Golf National in Paris, where he is two shots ahead of Xander Schauffele.

At the Paris Olympics, Michael Phelps enjoyed the opening round of the Men's Golf competition, praising the vibrant atmosphere and expressing his excitement as a fan and learner. He highlighted the impressive performances of golfers like Hideki Matsuyama, who led the field, and shared his admiration for fellow competitors, emphasizing his passion for golf and desire to improve his own game.

Greg Norman is in Paris to support LIV Golf players at the 2024 Olympics, showcasing his commitment to them amidst the absence of the PGA Commissioner. He expressed enthusiasm for the Olympic spirit and praised the dedication of all athletes. Norman's presence highlights the significance of the event for the seven LIV Golf players competing, emphasizing the values of excellence and community that LIV Golf represents.

Joaquin Niemann expresses concerns about the unfair Olympic qualification criteria, stating it prevents the best players from competing and contributes to a "crisis" in golf. He advocates for changes in the Official World Golf Ranking to better include LIV Golf events and emphasizes the need for a more equitable system for ranking points. Niemann remains focused on his performance in the Olympics while also seeking opportunities to participate in more DP World Tour events to improve his ranking and access to Majors.

The Olympics provides a unique opportunity for golfers to participate in a prestigious event that transcends commercialism and emphasizes national pride, despite the sport's traditional focus on monetary rewards. While Olympic medals may not hold the same value as major championships for many golfers, the inclusion of golf in the Games can positively impact the sport's development and foster a sense of community among athletes, as seen through their emotional connections to representing their countries.

The current four-day, 72-hole stroke-play format for Olympic golf is criticized for lacking excitement and engagement, especially given the vibrant atmosphere at the Paris Olympics. Players suggest a more dynamic format, such as team events or mixed-gender competitions, to enhance viewer interest and reflect the Olympics' spirit. The International Golf Federation is urged to consider these changes for future events, particularly the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, to capitalize on golf's growing popularity and provide a more compelling experience for fans.

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.