Stephanie Meadow finished a brilliant seventh after a closing 66, and Leona Maguire tied 23rd as world No 1 Nelly Korda confirmed her status as the game's best player by claiming Olympic gold in a heart-stopping finale to the Women's Individual Stroke Play in Tokyo.

Stephanie Meadow birdied three of her last six holes to keep her medal hopes alive in Tokyo as a "frustrated" Leona Maguire was left feeling she needs another 61 after a painful triple-bogey left her two shots further back heading into Saturday’s final round at Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Stephanie Meadow fired a super 66 and Leona Maguire a 67 to leave them tied 11th at halfway and playing together in the third round of the Women's Individual Stroke Play in sweltering Tokyo.

Patience was key as Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow battled scorching temperatures to keep their medal hopes alive on day one of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play in sweltering Tokyo.

Shane Lowry admitted he gets “goosebumps” at the mere mention of medals and even Rory McIlroy confessed he’s “happy to be proven wrong” about golf’s place the Olympics as they go into the final round with a chance to win gold in Tokyo on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy admitted it would be “unbelievable” if he and Shane Lowry could claim medals for Ireland after he fired a five-under 66 and the Offaly man a six-under 65 to roar back into medal contention on another weather-delayed day in Tokyo.