Lowry to tee off in Olympic tournament in early morning

Shane Lowry's Olympic journey will began at 2.36am in the morning (Thursday) when he tees off in the first round of the Men's golf tournament.

Lowry will play with Patrick Reed of USA and Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain in the first round at Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Speaking to Off The Ball on Newstalk today, Lowry said his aim is to contend for a medal.

“I feel like my game is in good shape. I feel like I can hopefully go out and contend for a medal this week.”

He said whilst he was enjoying the Olympic experience, his focus was on his performance.

“I came here to hopefully deliver a medal and bring it home.”

“When you see how much the Olympics actually mean to people, it's pretty cool that I'm here and I'm involved in it and that I have a chance to go and do something special,” he said.

The Clara man told OTB Sports that Kasumigaseki Country Club is “a proper big golf course in good condition”.

He said it is similar to what he plays on in the US PGA Tour most weeks.

“It's going to take a lot of good golf and I think quite a low score to win around here.”

Rory McIlroy, Ireland's other representative, tees off his first round in the three ball before Lowry.

He is off at 2.25am alongside Collin Morikawa of USA, the recently crowned British Open champion, and South Korean Sungjae Im.

The men’s individual stroke play continues over four rounds to Sunday. There are 60 competitors, and Lowry is ranked 17. All competitors play four rounds.