Lowry backed to bounce back with Olympic Gold

Shane Lowry is being backed for an immediate bounce back as the chances of him boosting Ireland’s medal tally at the Olympics were gambled following his bid for glory at The Open.

Lowry has been clipped into 25/1 from 28/1 by BoyleSports even though a second Claret Jug ultimately eluded the Offaly man, as Xander Schauffele romped clear at Royal Troon on Sunday to claim his second major of the season. Schauffele is now 6/1 second favourite to add a second Olympic gold medal to his CV, with compatriot and world number one Scottie Scheffler rated 7/2 favourite.

However Irish eyes could be smiling in Paris with Lowry fancied to be in the mix for the podium, while Rory McIlroy is also being given a strong chance as third favourite at 8/1. The event will be hosted by Le Golf National south of Paris, where McIlroy contributed two points to Europe’s 17.5 – 10.5 Ryder Cup victory over the United States in 2018.

Ireland’s hopes of an Olympic golf medal are boosted in the women’s event by 20/1 shot Leona Maguire and County Antrim’s Stephanie Meadow (250/1).

With a strong hand in the golf events, Team Ireland is odds-on at 10/11 to at least equal its record of three gold medals in one summer games, with high hopes of success in the swimming pool, the boxing ring and on the athletics track.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Ireland lands in Paris with one of its strongest Olympic teams in recent memory and it’s no more evident than on the golf course. Rory McIlroy and Leona Maguire were already well fancied, but Shane Lowry’s form at The Open has caught the eye and he’s being snapped up at juicy prices.”

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