Scheffler storms back with 62, swipes gold in Paris
PARIS — World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. claimed gold at the men’s Olympic golf competition on Sunday, matching the course record in the final round to edge crowd favorite Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain.
Scheffler shot a 9-under-par round of 62 to finish the tournament at 19 under par, one shot ahead of Fleetwood (66 on Sunday), who took silver.
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Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (65) was 17 under and claimed the bronze medal, improving on his tie for fourth place on home soil in Tokyo three years ago.
The Olympic title adds to a spectacular year for Scheffler. His second Masters title in April is among six PGA Tour victories.
His scintillating bogey-free round let him overhaul a four-shot deficit against overnight joint leaders Xander Schauffele and Spaniard Jon Rahm. The usually calm American punched the air on the 17th hole where he holed a birdie to take the outright lead before letting out tears on the podium after securing the gold.
“It’s been a long week, it’s been a challenging week. I played some great golf today and I’m proud to be going home with a medal,” Scheffler told reporters.
Like the other participants, he was impressed with the exuberant crowds who roared on French players as well as members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Fleetwood in particular was cheered on for his starring role in Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup win over the United States at the same venue south of Paris.
“I think golf showcased itself amazingly well this week,” the 33-year-old Englishman said.
Rahm, a two-time major winner, surged into a four-shot lead after a sparkling front nine holes on Sunday before fading. The defending champion, American Schauffele, fell off the pace, too.
“I don’t remember the last time I played a tournament and I felt this — I don’t know what the word is because, you know, I not only feel like I let myself down but to just not get it done for the whole country of Spain, it’s a lot more painful than I would like it to be,” Rahm said, per The Athletic.
Fleetwood stayed in contention until the end but a bogey on the 17th hole left him a shot behind Scheffler and he was unable to birdie the last hole to force a playoff. Fleetwood was cheered on by the large crowds correlating his run to the starring role he played in Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup win over the United States at the same Le Golf National course, south of Paris.
