Scottie Scheffler delivered an outstanding final round to win gold in the men’s golf competition at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. The world No. 1 carded an impressive nine-under 62 in the fourth round, finishing on 19-under-par over the four days at Le Golf National. This victory further solidifies his position as the best golfer in the world right now.
Final Round Highlights
Scheffler’s final round was a masterclass in precision and composure. He finished level with Tommy Fleetwood, but a bogey on the 17th hole for Fleetwood dropped him to 17-under. Fleetwood then carded a par on the final hole, allowing Scheffler to clinch the victory and relegating the British golfer to silver.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m proud to be going home with a medal. It was a long week, I’m pretty tired at the moment, but it was a lot of fun being out here competing,” said the 28-year-old Scheffler.
A Year of Achievements
The gold medal adds to Scheffler’s extraordinarily successful year. The American golfer has picked up six wins on the PGA Tour, including the Masters at Augusta in April. When asked about where the gold medal ranks among his achievements, Scheffler said:
“It’s pretty high up there. It’s tough to compare accomplishments, but an Olympic gold medal is definitely going to be one of my special memories when I look back on my career.”
Overcoming Challenges
Scheffler’s year has been remarkable both on and off the course. He warmed up in a jail cell before competing in the PGA Championship in Kentucky a few months ago due to a bizarre encounter at a police roadblock. His charges were eventually dismissed. Additionally, Scheffler recently became a father, adding a personal highlight to his year in the spotlight.
Journey to Victory
Heading into Sunday’s final round, Scheffler was not among the favorites for the Olympic title. He started well off the lead, and when Spain’s Jon Rahm began the fourth round strongly, Scheffler’s chances seemed slim despite starting with three birdies. However, a superb back-nine with six birdies and no bogeys vaulted him up the leaderboard, tying him with Fleetwood.
“I got off to a good start. I holed a nice putt on one, chipped in on two, and had two good shots into three. That got me going early in the round. I had a bit of a cold spell on four through nine but bounced back with a nice putt on 10 and did some really good things on the back nine to finish this one off,” Scheffler said.
While waiting for Fleetwood to finish his round, Scheffler stayed loose on the range in case of a playoff. However, Fleetwood’s long second shot on the last hole required a miracle putt for birdie. His effort went close but drifted just wide, sealing Scheffler’s gold.
Historical Achievement
Scheffler’s win makes him the first world No. 1 to win a gold medal at the Olympics. This victory also marks the first time since 1982 that American golfers have won all the majors in a year, adding to the historical significance of Scheffler’s achievement.
“I just did my best to stay patient. It was frustrating hitting some good putts on the front nine and not seeing any of them go in. I was just trying to move up the leaderboard, do anything I could. The guys in front of me were playing really well, and I knew I was going to have to do something special and was fortunate to make some birdies,” Scheffler reflected.
Key Takeaways
- Scottie Scheffler won gold in men’s golf at the Paris Olympics.
- He finished with a remarkable nine-under 62 in the final round.
- Scheffler’s victory adds to an already successful year, including six PGA Tour wins.
- His win makes him the first world No. 1 to win Olympic gold in golf.
- This year marks the first time since 1982 that American golfers have won all the majors.
Scheffler’s triumph at the Olympics is a testament to his skill, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. It is a significant milestone in his career and a proud moment for American golf.(Superace88)