American golfer Scottie Scheffler has secured an Olympic gold medal following an exhilarating showdown with Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday.
Scheffler, who claimed his second Masters championship earlier this year, executed a remarkable series of birdies to take the lead after the 17th at Le Golf National, located south of Paris.
The world No. 1 posted an impressive course record-tying score of 62 before anxiously awaiting Fleetwood’s final attempt to match his score and force a playoff.
When the Brit was unable to secure a birdie on the final hole, Scheffler celebrated on the range with caddie Ted Scott, reveling in his new status as an Olympic champion.
Fleetwood had to settle for the silver medal in France, while Hideki Matsuyama rounded out the top three, shooting a final-round 65 to earn the bronze with a score of -17.
American golfer Scottie Scheffler has secured an Olympic gold medal
On the other hand, Spain’s Jon Rahm squandered a significant lead going into the final holes, dropping six shots and falling out of medal contention.
This victory makes Scheffler the first world No. 1 to earn Olympic gold while at the top of the rankings.
This win adds another impressive chapter to the 28-year-old’s story, especially after he was notably arrested while arriving at the PGA Championship in Kentucky earlier this year.
Entering the final round, Scheffler had gained momentum with three birdies over his last six holes on Saturday, closing the gap to four shots behind the leader.
On Sunday, Scheffler also benefited from Rahm’s collapse, as the Spaniard had held a four-shot lead until the 11th tee, allowing Fleetwood to catch up in just two holes.
This shift opened up the contest for multiple players, including France’s Victor Perez, who nearly made it onto the podium.
However, Scheffler surged ahead with four consecutive birdies down the stretch, highlighted by an impressive recovery shot from the deep rough on the 17th hole, followed by an 18-foot birdie putt that allowed him to take the lead for the first time that day.
He set a new Olympic record for 72 holes, finishing at 19-under 265. Meanwhile, Fleetwood, who lost his lead with a bogey on the 17th, managed to make par on the last hole, finishing with a score of 66 to secure the silver medal.
The bronze medalist, Hideki Matsuyama, remained competitive until the final holes but completed the round with six successive pars for a score of 65.
Scheffler is now the second American in a row to win the men’s golf gold medal, following Xander Schauffele’s victory at the Tokyo Games.
