Scottie Scheffler Claims Gold at Olympic Men’s Golf Competition with Record-Tying Performance
August 4, 2024, brought a spectacular finale to the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition held at Le Golf National, located on the outskirts of Paris. Scottie Scheffler, representing the United States, delivered a stunning performance, shooting a phenomenal 9-under 62 to clinch the gold medal. This achievement tied the course record, propelling Scheffler to a final score of 19-under-par.
Scheffler’s final round was nothing short of extraordinary. His notable back-nine performance, where he scored 29, included four consecutive birdies from holes 14 to 17. This scorching finish solidified his victory, marking his seventh title of the year. His previous notable wins in 2024 include the Players Championship and the Masters Tournament, further cementing his status as one of the top golfers in the world.
Tommy Fleetwood of Team GB secured the silver medal after a stellar round of 66, finishing one stroke behind Scheffler at 18-under-par. Fleetwood shared the lead with Scheffler on the 17th tee but faltered with a bogey after a miscued chip shot. He was unable to recover fully, overshooting the green on his approach at the 18th and failing to birdie. Reflecting on his performance, Fleetwood shared, “There is part of me that is disappointed, but I never dreamt I would be an Olympic medallist so I am unbelievably proud and happy with how the week went. Standing on that podium with a medal was one of the most special moments I have ever had.”
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama claimed the bronze medal with a flawless final-day performance, shooting a bogey-free 65. Matsuyama had held a share of the halfway lead and, despite a level-par 71 on Saturday, finished strong to secure his place on the podium.
In addition to the medalists, several other golfers delivered notable performances. France’s Victor Perez delighted the home crowd with a brilliant final-round 63, finishing solo fourth at 16-under. Rory McIlroy of Ireland and Jon Rahm of Spain both finished at 15-under, sharing fifth place.
This competition also had its share of dramatic moments for other top contestants. Overnight co-leader Xander Schauffele aimed for back-to-back golds but was overtaken by the intense pace set by his peers. Jon Rahm, who led by four shots mid-round, experienced a significant setback with bogeys at holes 11 and 12, and a crushing double bogey-7 at the 14th. This loss of momentum, coupled with bogeys on the final two holes, resulted in him finishing outside the podium positions.
Reflective on the significance of the event, Rory McIlroy, who concluded with a 66 despite a double bogey at the 15th due to a water hazard, commented on the parallels between the Olympics and the Ryder Cup: “I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, in terms of pure competition, but I think this [the Olympics] has the potential to be right up there with it. With how much of a shit show the professional game of golf is right now, you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don’t play for money in either of them. So it speaks volumes for what’s important in sport. I think every single player this week has had an amazing experience.”
As the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition closed, the remarkable performances and memorable moments underscored the event’s standing as a pinnacle of pure athletic competition. Moving forward, the golf world will keenly watch how these outcomes influence the remainder of the season and the broader sporting landscape.
For the final scores from the Olympic men’s golf competition click here.
