Nail-biting finish at Le Golf National
American Scottie Scheffler shot a remarkable 62 on Sunday at Le Golf National near Paris to snatch the Olympic Gold Medal from Spain’s Jon Rahm and defending Olympic Champion Xander Schauffele. Twenty-eight year old Scheffler, the World Number One, had a superb closing round of 9-under par after opening the tournament with a 67, 69 and 67. In true nail-biting style, the American had to patiently wait on the practice ground while Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood attempted to make a birdie down the last to equal Scheffler’s 19-under par score and force a play-off. Alas, the Englishman did not succeed which left Scottie Scheffler crowned as the new Olympic Champion.
So how did Scheffler make his 62?
Well, the World Number One has won six times this year including the Masters at Augusta National and The Players Championship. He played on Sunday at Le Golf National four shots behind Schauffele and Rahm in a share of sixth spot with Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Tom Kim (South Korea) and Thomas Detry (Belgium) on 10-under. Scheffler made six birdies on the back nine to secure a superb score of 62 and an Olympic tally of 19-under par. The American’s only threat now was Tommy Fleetwood.
With five top-10 finishes in his last ten Majors, Tommy Fleetwood was on good form in Paris. His second shot at the final hole saw him launch the ball from 195 yards over the water to the green. He narrowly missed the green which left him with a short chip to make birdie. The mass of crowds were all excited and cheering: “Tommy! Tommy!”
It was Fleetwood’s moment. All he had to do was chip-in for a birdie and then face Scheffler in a play-off. However, it was not meant to be. The chip missed the hole and he had to settle for an Olympic Silver Medal on 18-under.
Jon Rahm had a strong chance of lifting the Olympic title too, however, a blip of poor holes on the back nine cost the Spaniard the covetted medal. So much so that sadly the 29 year old Spaniard also missed out on a medal in Paris. He ultimately shared fifth spot with the popular Rory McIlroy playing for Ireland.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama had a great tournament in Paris where he won the Bronze Olympic Medal with a score of 17-under par. It was a welcome result for Matsuyama who missed out on a bronze medal in the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago.
There was also victory for Victor Perez from France who claimed his second DP World Tour title at the 2022 Dutch Open when he defeated New Zealander Ryan Fox in a play-off on the fourth extra hole. In Paris, he carded an impressive 8-under par 63 on Sunday. Alas, Perez did not win a medal for his superb effort but he became a happy fourth at the Olympics on 16-under par.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, 7th August the Olympics Golf Championship for Women takes place at Le Golf National near Paris. It will be a good chance to see Holland’s Anne van Dam in action playing against the best female golfers in the world.
Many congratulations on your victory in the Olympics Paris 2024, Scottie Scheffler! It is truly a proud moment for you and for America!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
GOLF AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024:
Gold Medal: Scottie Scheffler (USA) 67,69,67,62 (265) 19-under
Silver Medal: Tommy Fleetwood (Great Britain) 67,64,69,66 (266) 18-under
Bronze Medal: Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 63,68,71,65 (267) 17-under
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: (l-r) Tommy Fleetwood (Silver), Scottie Scheffler (Gold) and Hideki Matsuyama (Bronze). MINIS (l-r): Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler.