Q. Tough finish?
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, look, you're trying to shoot a really low score, and you start like that, it's pretty deflating. I fought back well.
But you know, ultimately, my damage was done all the first to days. I was going out playing for pride today. I tried my best. It was nice to bounce back, and finish is obviously disappointing enough, but so be it. That's the way it is.
You know, I was in Tokyo and obviously is was weird with no crowds and COVID and all that sort of stuff. But I mean, this week it just felt like -- it's felt like one of the biggest tournaments in the world to be honest.
Obviously, the majors are up there but the atmosphere this week is as good as any major that I've played. You just hear the crowds roaring for Victor Perez when I was on the 18th green there, and yeah, it's been incredible.
The Irish fans have been unbelievable. Way more support than I thought I would get; way more than I thought I deserved with how I played. They have been incredible and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
I suppose for me, Tokyo was weird. I wasn't in Rio. And then this week, I really felt a part of team Ireland. You know, being at the Opening Ceremony, carrying the flag, being there on Tuesday night for Daniel's win. So stuff like that has meant a lot to me and I really felt a part of the team this week, and I'm just disappointed that I couldn't deliver more.
Q. Playing for your country and being part of a team, it's a different dynamic.
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, and it kept me going today. It's easy to get down on yourself and not shoot the best score. But I did have a little word for myself. I said, you're playing for Ireland and you need to show a bit of pride and keep going, and I did. That's kind of what kept me going today.
It's been an incredible week, and I had a lot of time to think about it out there today because it obviously wasn't going so well. You know, I'm 37 now. I'll be 41 in L.A. So I'm hoping there's no young whippersnappers coming up that's going to pass me up and I'm hoping to go there and fly the flag again.
There's obviously so much for us golfers between now and then but yes, it's at the very top of the list.
Q. Your schedule now?
SHANE LOWRY: I'm done. I have a flight to get out. I can't even stay to watch Rory. I'm playing next week in the States, and I'm playing four weeks in a row. I have to go home, pick up my kids and go back to America. Life unfortunately doesn't allow me to enjoy hopefully watching Rory win a medal or anything like that.
Q. What would a medal mean to Rory?
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, it would mean a lot. We spoke a lot at the start of the week. You know, he obviously didn't do Rio either and in Tokyo he came close. But it did feel weird; COVID was a strange time. I'm sure he has the same feelings as I do out there with the crowds and how big this tournament feels.
Yeah, I think it would mean an awful lot to him. I think, you know, it's been well documented his last ten years, he has not won a major. If he was to win a medal here it would certainly be something in that realm of what he would like to be achieving.
Q. What are the memories of the Olympics?
SHANE LOWRY: I got to Daniel's swim and I got Roland Garros. It was a long evening. I was like, no, I need to relax and try to perform as good as I can. To be honest, being part of the Olympics and being here for the week, it would make me want to come back as a fan more than anything else. You know, to see even the success Ireland have had so far has been amazing.
I sort of feel like I can -- I'm watching last night on my phone, I'm watching Rhys on the pummel horse, which I know nothing about, and I'm cheering him on and I'm delighted when he finishes. He looks like he's doing great but not that I know of idea what's happening. Even feeling part of the team, it's been so special.
Look, when I sit back and when I'm on the flight back to America on Tuesday, I'll reflect on this and I'll be like, from carrying the flag to coming here to representing my country to the support I got out there, my memories this week, it's been very special. Just disappointed I couldn't do better.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports