Irish flags aplenty at Le Golf National on a day chasing Rory and Shane

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

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