Rory McIlroy has set his sights on winning an Olympic medal in Paris - after missing out on one in a remarkable seven-man play-off for bronze in Saitama.
Shane Lowry's hopes of adding to Team Ireland's medal tally faded quickly as he endured a rocky start and a double-bogey on 9 killed off his chances completely, and he finished tied for 22nd.
But McIlroy stayed in the hunt throughout a dramatic afternoon at the Kasumigaseki Country Club that saw Xander Schauffele of the US just pip Rory Sabbatini, the South African playing for Slovakia, his wife's country, for the gold.
Ultimately the 32-year-old's hopes ended on the fourth play-off hole when he missed a six-foot birdie putt and, at the next hole, C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei beat Collin Morikawa for the medal.
They were the last men standing on the play-off's fifth tee.
Earlier, McIlroy shot a three under par front nine to move into contention for a medal of any colour.
He needed to bounce back from a bogey on 14 with a birdie on 17 to give himself a chance for bronze.
Then he did have a 15-foot putt on 18 to edge ahead of six other players, including local hero Hideki Matsuyama, the USA's Collin Morikawa and Paul Casey of GB, but his effort missed by millimetres.
When Casey and Matsuyama both failed to birdie 18 in the final group that followed just after, it meant a seven man play-off for bronze and, after Casey and Matsuyama were eliminated at the first hole, McIlroy followed at the third.
"It makes me even more determined going to Paris and trying to pick one up," declared the Holywood man later.
"It's disappointing, going away here without any hardware.
"I've been saying all day I’ve never tried so hard in my life to finish in third place.
"But it's been a great experience. Today was a great day to be up in contention for a medal.
"It certainly had a different feeling to it, to what I expected. As I said, I’m looking forward to three years time trying to go at least one better but hopefully three better."
On the scale of the play-off - McIlroy played in a three-ball for the first hole after a four-ball went off first - the Ulsterman said: "I've never played in one that size - four is the largest I’ve been in.
"It was very interesting having to ask the rules official going down 18 who did what ahead, what do I need to do here, so…a little different and I’ll just add it as another experience I've had this week for the first time."
McIlroy has been relaxed all week and he admits that he feels "encouraged" about where his game is right now ahead of some big tournaments, and the Ryder Cup still to come at the end of next month.
"I played a lot better this week than I have the previous few weeks so yeah the game is trending in the right direction," he said.
"I’ve found a couple of things this week to go with.
"It's straight to Memphis this week then Ryder Cup, all that stuff, so I mean it’s hard because you finished tied third and one shot away from the medals.
"But as well, if I look ahead for the next few weeks I’m excited about what’s to come."
Lowry, meanwhile, was playing for pride down the back 9 and came home with three birdies to finish the day where he started, on 10 under par.
"I just never got going," said the Clara man. "I’m disappointed.
"I didn’t know what to expect, coming out. I didn’t know how I’d feel. I fought hard all week. I fought hard today but I just wasn’t good enough.
"I'm disappointed...I’m very disappointed. I felt I’d a great chance of going out and doing something special today, not that it didn’t take that much, It would have taken some nice golf.
"Hole a few putts and then all of a sudden you’ve a chance to do something unbelievably special.
"I never thought I would be this disappointed at something like this. It's amazing when you are here what a big deal it is and how big it feels.
"It's been a tough day. When you are over after nine holes, it’s tough you are playing for pride then.
"I’d a decent back nine. I did alright but I didn’t finish as well as I would have liked.
"I suppose I’m a very patriotic fella and I love the fact that I’m Irish and that I don’t get to compete for Ireland and then this week I did, and I love that. So that’s what it was about for me this week.
"I love playing for my country and I really enjoyed it and I just want to make sure I am in Paris.
"I think myself and Rory had a huge chance to do something for Team Ireland this week.
"I keep saying we don’t produce that many medals so it would be nice to produce another one."
