Tommy Fleetwood shows true colours with Scottie Scheffler claim after Olympics heartbreak
Tommy Fleetwood has recently been reflecting on his Olympic journey, particularly his narrow defeat to American golfer Scottie Scheffler, who claimed the gold medal at Le Golf National in France. Despite a stellar performance throughout the event, Fleetwood was edged out by Scheffler, who shot a record-breaking nine-under-par 62 on the final day to secure the top spot by just one stroke.
Fleetwood, who ultimately secured the silver medal, has spoken highly of Scheffler’s impressive performance and acknowledges the American as the “best player in the world.” In an interview with talkSPORT, Fleetwood expressed both his admiration for Scheffler and his own competitive spirit. “It’s annoying, isn’t it? He is the best player in the world, he’s having a phenomenal year, and he had an amazing day yesterday,” Fleetwood said.
He noted that while Scheffler wasn’t a primary concern during much of the round, the American’s rapid climb up the leaderboard became evident as the competition progressed. Fleetwood’s focus was largely on his own game, but he couldn’t ignore the impact of Scheffler’s exceptional play. “He wasn’t really one that we were thinking of for a lot of the round but then I saw that he was getting close. He’s the best player in the world and is now the Olympic champion as well. So if you’re going to get beat by someone, I guess you get beat by the best,” Fleetwood added.
Despite the disappointment of narrowly missing out on gold, Fleetwood took immense pride in winning an Olympic medal for Great Britain. “Obviously, there’s a small part of you that’s a bit gutted when you come so close and not win gold. But still, having an Olympic medal is something that’s very special,” he said. Fleetwood recounted his final moments on the course, highlighting a particularly nerve-wracking experience on the 18th hole. “I had a really good chip [on 18] and there was a period where I thought I might have chipped in to get a playoff for the gold. In any other tournament, you’re not that fussed. You know, it can go in or it doesn’t but I was actually still pretty nervous over that [final putt]. I just wanted to get it over and done with.”
Fleetwood’s journey to the Olympics and the medal ceremony was tinged with both excitement and introspection. He admitted that while he had never envisioned himself as an Olympic contender during his younger years, the experience of standing on the podium was profoundly meaningful. “Golf was my favourite sport [growing up] and we never had a chance of dreaming of being an Olympic medallist. But as soon as it’s come around, I think you’re just watching it grow and grow in terms of how much we want it, how much it means to us,” Fleetwood reflected. “And, you know, it’s a tough one right now, but I just know that when I stood up on that podium yesterday, it was one of the most special moments of my career. This medal is something that I’ll cherish forever. Hopefully, this week it’s done golf the world of good to show what a spectacle it can be and how much it means to us all.”
Scheffler’s victory at the Olympics is just one of many highlights in his career. The American golfer has already amassed a remarkable list of achievements, including a recent triumph at the Masters Tournament. With two major championships to his name and a record of holding the world number one title for more than 90 weeks, Scheffler’s victory further solidifies his status as one of the sport’s leading figures.
Fleetwood, on the other hand, has enjoyed a successful career on the European Tour, with seven titles to his name. His most notable performances in major championships include runner-up finishes at the US Open in 2018 and The Open Championship in 2019. Despite the silver medal falling just short of gold, Fleetwood’s performance at the Olympics and his subsequent reflections highlight the depth of his dedication and the significance he places on the sport.
