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August 6, 2024
3 min
Scheffler wins USA Gold medal at 2024 Paris Olympics
Scottie Scheffler added a brilliant chapter to his already impressive 2024 season by winning the gold medal in men's golf at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. Scheffler's victory at the iconic Le Golf National course marked his first Olympic medal and underscored his status as one of the world's premier golfers.
Scheffler, 28, entered the final round in strong contention but needed a stunning performance to clinch the gold. He delivered with a remarkable 9-under-par 62, propelling himself to the top of the leaderboard and finishing the tournament at 19-under 265, an Olympic record for 72 holes. His final round included nine birdies, showcasing his remarkable skill and composure under pressure.
"I'm not big on comparisons or anything like that," Scheffler said when asked by NBC Olympics where this ranks among his accomplishments. "I'm just going to enjoy this moment. Like I said, I take tremendous pride in representing my country, and I'm very proud to be going home, to be going back to the USA with a medal."
Scheffler's gold medal victory adds to an incredible year that already includes a second green jacket from the Masters and five other PGA wins, including victories at the Memorial, the RBC Heritage, the Players Championship, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He is the first golfer to win six times on the PGA Tour in a single season since Tiger Woods in 2009.
The competition was fierce in Paris, with some of the world's best golfers vying for Olympic glory. Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood, who led for much of the tournament, secured the silver medal after a final-round bogey on the 17th hole, finishing at 18-under. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama claimed the bronze with a score of 17-under, narrowly edging out France's Victor Perez, who finished fourth at 16-under.
While Scheffler's triumph was the highlight of the event, the tournament also saw its share of heartbreak, particularly for Spain's Jon Rahm. Rahm had been leading the pack and was a favorite for the gold, but a series of back-to-back bogeys on the back nine saw him slip from the lead. He ultimately tied for fifth place with Ireland's Rory McIlroy at 15-under.
Rahm’s struggle reflected the challenges he’s faced since joining LIV Golf, where the unconventional schedule and format might have impacted his competitive edge. Despite the disappointment, Rahm expressed a deep appreciation for the Olympics. "Losing today has given me a deeper appreciation for what this tournament means," Rahm admitted. "I realize now how much it really mattered."
USA's Xander Schauffele, the gold medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finished tied for ninth at 12-under, while Wyndham Clark tied for 14th at 11-under, and Collin Morikawa finished tied for 24th at 5-under. Schauffele had been tied for the 54-hole lead with Rahm but also experienced a late-round collapse, as did Rory McIlroy, who hit a wedge into the water on the 15th hole.
The Paris Olympics highlighted the unique appeal of Olympic golf, where the absence of financial incentives allowed the true spirit of competition to shine through. As Scheffler's emotional reaction during the medal ceremony showed, representing one's country on such a grand stage is an unparalleled honor.
"It was a pretty cool experience; it was very special," Scheffler said. "Representing your country is amazing. Putting on the flag every morning is a pretty humbling experience. Going out here and doing our best. It was definitely a fun experience; it was really cool to go see the other events. I'm proud to be going home with a medal."
As golf continues to evolve, the Olympics have carved a unique place in the sport, offering athletes a platform to connect with something greater than themselves. Scheffler's victory in Paris and Rahm's reflections remind us of the intrinsic value of competition, honor, and national pride.
