Paris 2024 golf: USA’s Scottie Scheffler comes from behind to take Olympic gold, Team GB's Tommy Fleetwood wins silver as Hideki Matsuyama clinches bronze
USA’s Scottie Scheffler walked into the Olympic Games Paris 2024 like he had something to prove.
After four days and 72 holes at Le Golf National, the world number one added the title of Olympic champion to his already stacked resume, clinching gold after finishing 19 under.
But, over halfway through the final day of play, it looked like the top-ranked American might not stand on top of that podium in Paris as Spain’s Jon Rahm held a four-shot lead with just seven holes to go.
In the incredible fashion that Scheffler works, he pulled off a 9-under 62 in the final round to further prove his position as world number one, taking his first and USA’s third Olympic gold medal in the men’s individual competition.
“The guys in front of me were playing really well. I knew I was gonna have to do something special coming in and, you know, I was fortunate to make some birdies,” he said.
It was something special indeed, as the 28-year-old sunk five birdies on the final back nine.
“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,” he said.
Unable to control his emotions as his flag was raised to the tune of the American national anthem, Scheffler broke down into tears on the podium as the gold hung from his neck.
“This was a fun week and it was great representing the USA, and I’m proud to be going home with a medal.”
USA's gold medalist, Scottie Scheffler celebrates with his wife and sonb after taking Olympic gold at Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on August 04.
Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood won silver a shot further back after sitting in a first-place tie with Scheffler with two holes to go.
“I would've loved for it to have gone a little bit different on the last two, but I couldn't have asked for much more myself” he said.
“Scottie had a special round. He's having a special year and he is clearly a very special player.”
The best part of it all though, Fleetwood said, is “being able to show [my six-year-old son] that you can achieve these things.”
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama secured the bronze at 17 under.
Scheffler’s American teammate, Xander Schauffele, who took the individual gold for the US at Tokyo 2020 for the first time in over a century, said “(A) cherry on top would not do it the justice. Scottie is going to have about 14 cherries on top of his cake. He's been piling up trophies left and right, and he keeps moving away from the pack of people chasing him in the world.
"He's been playing unbelievable golf and [I’m] very happy for him. When I take my competitive hat off and put my USA patriot hat on, I'm very happy that we won another gold medal."
Schauffele, who went into the final day tied for first after taking control of the field earlier for much of the competition, missed the podium to finish in a five-way tie for ninth place.
Golf: men's individual stroke play podium
Gold: Scottie Scheffler, USA (-19)
Silver: Tommy Fleetwood, Great Britain (-18)
Bronze: Hideki Matsuyama, Japan (-17)