Rory McIlroy misses out on Olympic history after other-worldly shot in Paris

Rory McIlroy missed out in Olympic history after he was denied a famous albatross by the barest of margins at Le Golf National.

McIlroy is representing Team Ireland in Paris alongside Shane Lowry, and after a steady round one, he enjoyed a quick start to his second 18 holes. After beginning Friday's play with back-to-back pars at the first and second, the Northern Irishman made eagle at the par-five third.

Things could have been better for the four four-time major champion after his second shot from the fairway slam-dunked into the hole, before popping back out and finishing inside two feet of the pin, reports the Mirror.

It's McIlroy's second Olympics Game after he competed in Tokyo three years ago. Golf returned to the Olympic schedule after over 100 years in 2016, but amid the event's lengthy spell away from professional golf, many players - including McIlroy - doubted its importance.

McIlroy was one of the big-name stars to withdraw from the 2016 tournament amid the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil eight years ago. He had previously downplayed the Olympic event, commenting upon its return: "I think I'll be remembered for my major championships. So all I've dreamed of from a little kid is winning majors.

"I never dreamed of competing in the Olympics or winning an Olympic medal. So in my mind, a major will always be more important." Eight years on however, it appears the Team Ireland athlete is warming to the idea, claiming it would be his biggest achievement for some time amid his wait 10-year wait for a fifth major title.

"It would be the achievement, certainly of the year," the former Open champion claimed. "If not -- I think for me, it's well documented that I haven't won one of the Big Four in ten years. It would