The seventh win for Scottie Scheffler came with no money or FedEx Cup points but a gold medal instead.

Before the Olympics, Scottie Scheffler’s achievements had already established him as a top golfer, with six wins, including a major triumph at the Masters. Despite this impressive record, there was room for debate about whether he deserved to be named Player of the Year. However, any doubts were dispelled following his remarkable performance at the Olympic Golf Competition, culminating in a dramatic final round and a triumphant podium appearance to claim his gold medal.

 

Scheffler, currently holding the position of the world’s number one golfer, has been on an extraordinary run, with achievements comparable only to those of Tiger Woods over the past three decades. His recent performance at the Olympics further cemented his status among the elite.

 

Reflecting on his challenging week at the Olympics, Scheffler admitted, “I felt like at times this week I got more frustrated than I normally do. It was a pretty challenging week there for a while just because I felt like I was doing a lot of things well and I wasn’t getting a lot out of it at times. You know, just watching great players fly up the leaderboard, I felt like they were getting further and further away from me sometimes.”

 

Starting the final round four shots behind Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, the reigning gold medalist, Scheffler made an impressive start with three consecutive birdies, quickly narrowing the gap between him and the leaders. Despite this strong beginning, the rest of the front nine was relatively uneventful for Scheffler, while Rahm surged ahead, making five birdies in the first ten holes. Rahm’s performance pushed Scheffler and others further away from the top spot, making it seem as if only silver and bronze were within reach.

 

However, the dynamics of the game shifted as Rahm began to falter. He made bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes, which allowed Scheffler and the rest of the field to close the gap. Rahm’s troubles continued when he made a double bogey on the 14th hole, reopening the possibility of gold for those chasing him.

 

Scheffler seized the opportunity as he made the turn. He put together a stellar performance on the back nine, with six birdies, including four consecutive birdies between the 14th and 17th holes. This surge moved him from trailing Rahm to a tie with Tommy Fleetwood, who had also been in contention.

 

The tie was short-lived as Fleetwood stumbled with a bogey on the 17th hole, allowing Scheffler to edge ahead and secure a one-shot victory. Scheffler noted that he and his caddie, Teddy Scott, didn’t engage in extensive strategic discussions throughout the day. Instead, they focused on maintaining patience and staying composed. “I saw that Rahm had gotten to 20-under, and so I kind of changed a little bit mentally to just really try to do my best to move my way up the leaderboard. At one point, I didn’t even really know if I was in contention or not,” Scheffler recalled. “I just tried to do my best to make some birdies and start moving up and maybe get a medal or something like that just because Jon is such a great player.”

 

Scheffler was aware of the challenges posed by Le Golf National, but the week’s conditions, characterized by rain and minimal wind, made the course more forgiving than usual. This presented an opportunity for aggressive play, and Scheffler aimed to capitalize on it. “I was doing my best. Once I started making some birdies to try to get to 19-under and give myself a chance to get in,” Scheffler said. “I was fortunate to execute some shots there down the stretch. The putt that I hit on 17, I was aware that I think Rahm had gotten into some trouble there on 13 or 14, and Tommy wasn’t able to birdie 14, so I felt like that was a pretty important putt with just how challenging the closing holes are.”

 

As the competition neared its conclusion, Scheffler was on the driving range preparing for a potential playoff with Fleetwood, the only player with a chance to surpass him. When Fleetwood’s final chip shot missed the mark, Scheffler’s seventh win of 2024 was secured without the need for a playoff.

 

With a gold medal draped around his neck, Scheffler reflected on his achievements with a sense of contentment rather than concern for his legacy. “I don’t really overthink about my legacy as a golfer; that’s not really something that comes to mind,” Scheffler said. “I love being out here competing. It’s one of my favorite things in the world to do, and it’s a great joy in my life. I’m proud to be out here competing.”

 

Scheffler’s remarkable performance at the Olympics has not only elevated his career but has also underscored his position as one of the top golfers in the world. His resilience and strategic adjustments during the final round showcased his elite skills and determination, solidifying his place among golf’s greats.