Scottie Scheffler wins gold in Olympics with four straight birdies at Le Golf National; Jon Rahm collapses in final round

In a remarkable display of golfing prowess, American golfer Scottie Scheffler secured the gold medal in a thrilling final round at the Olympics, overcoming a four-stroke deficit to claim victory. On Sunday, Scheffler delivered a spectacular performance, carding a nine-under-par 62 that propelled him to the top of the leaderboard and ensured the U.S. maintained its dominance in Olympic golf.

 

Scheffler began the final round at 10 under par, trailing behind Xander Schauffele and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who were leading the field. Schauffele, who had won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, faced a challenging day on the course. His performance faltered significantly, and he ended up shooting a disappointing two-over-par 73, which led to his withdrawal from contention for the medal. Schauffele’s inability to maintain his form meant that he dropped out of the gold medal race, leaving the path open for other competitors.

 

Rahm, who had held the lead for a substantial portion of the final round, also saw his chances diminish as the day progressed. Despite his strong showing earlier in the round, Rahm’s play deteriorated with four bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine. These mistakes resulted in him falling four strokes behind the new leader by the end of the round, effectively ending his bid for gold.

 

As the tournament drew to a close, Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood emerged as Scheffler’s main rival for the gold. Fleetwood’s steady play throughout the day put him in a strong position, but a bogey on the 17th hole proved costly. Despite his best efforts, Fleetwood finished one stroke behind Scheffler, concluding the tournament with an impressive 18 under par, which was enough to earn him the silver medal.

 

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who had narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the 2020 Games due to a tiebreaker, achieved his long-awaited success this time around. Matsuyama’s performance earned him the bronze medal, adding to his impressive career achievements and marking a significant accomplishment for Japanese golf.

 

Scottie Scheffler’s Olympic victory adds to an already exceptional year for the golfer, who currently holds the position of World No. 1. His recent triumphs include winning the Masters Tournament in April, along with securing victories in five other PGA Tour events. Notably, these victories include prestigious tournaments such as the Memorial Tournament and the PLAYERS Championship, further cementing his status as one of the leading figures in professional golf.

 

The return of golf to the Olympic Games in 2016 marked a significant moment in the sport’s history. Following much debate about its inclusion, the sport faced a mixed reception, with numerous top players opting out of participation. However, since then, golf has seen increased acceptance among the elite players. The 2024 Games reflected this trend, with a greater number of top golfers choosing to compete, showcasing the growing prestige of Olympic golf.

 

Scheffler’s triumph not only highlights his personal achievements but also signifies the continued growth and significance of golf in the Olympic arena. His remarkable performance and the overall success of the golf tournament underscore the sport’s evolving role and the high level of competition it now commands on the global stage.