The boys’s Olympics Golf competitors was a thriller.
Andrew Redington/Getty Pictures
Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we glance again on the thrilling males’s Olympic Golf competitors, the most important winners and disappointments, and stay up for the ladies’s competitors.
1. Scottie Scheffler shot a blistering final-round 62 to win gold on the Olympics, beating Tommy Fleetwood (silver) by one and Hideki Matsuyama (bronze) by two. A ton of stars have been within the combine on Sunday, and Fleetwood even had an opportunity to pressure a playoff for gold however did not birdie the 18th. The place does this end rank among the many finest Sundays on Tour this season?
Inside Scottie Scheffler’s Olympic cost and probably the most electrical end of the yr
Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): I’ll give Olympic Sunday the silver. That was riveting stuff from Scheffler towards a first-rate group of contenders, however once you mix the status of the occasion, the standard of the course and the drama of the end, the U.S. Open nonetheless will get the gold for the season.
Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I agree, this was by far probably the greatest finishes by way of pleasure for the season. I’ll rank each the U.S. Open and the Gamers Championship forward of it simply because it felt like by the point Fleetwood received to 18 tee, we already knew Scheffler was going to win. Pinehurst and Sawgrass stored us on the sting of our seats only a tad bit longer.
Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): My colleagues are in the suitable ballpark right here; Scheffler (very seemingly) had the title wrapped up by the point the ultimate group teed off 18, so it lacked a photograph end. However I’m an enormous fan of the Olympics and the novelty of the day — solely one in every of these each 4 years! — appeals to me tremendously. The wild leaderboard swings have been unpredictable and unbelievable. And contemplate that the 4 pre-tournament favorites (Scottie, Xander, Rory, Rahm), who’re arguably the 4 finest golfers on the planet (although Bryson and Morikawa would love a phrase) have been all very a lot within the combine for a lot of Sunday and this one’s robust to beat. Watching historical past in actual time.
2. Jon Rahm shot 4 over on the again on Sunday (and completed 4 again of Scheffler), Fleetwood made a late bogey on 17, Rory McIlroy made a pricey double and 54-hole co-leader Xander Schauffele shot 73 on Sunday. Who’s leaving the Olympics probably the most upset?
After gut-wrenching near-miss for gold, Tommy Fleetwood focuses on the optimistic
Sens: A part of me desires to say Schauffele as a result of he had a uncommon probability to defend the gold. Nevertheless it’s received to be Rahm, who might have put a candy cap on what has been such an odd, bitter season. That very poor remaining 9 is bound to go away a bitter style.
Hirsh: I used to be about to say Schauffele can’t show far more this season, then I spotted I nonetheless don’t imagine he’ll win Participant of the 12 months. Had he received the Gold medal, I believe he would have actually made a case to beat out Scheffler. However to not even medal after trying so dominant for 61 holes, and let Scheffler take the highest spot within the course of, he solely has one avenue to beat out Scheffler in my thoughts and that’s to win the FedEx Cup and I believe it might nonetheless be a troublesome promote.
Dethier: It must be Rahm. He had a three-shot lead! He was within the driver’s seat! He birdied No. 10 after which, on the final eight holes, Scottie Scheffler beat him by 10. Ouch.
3. Who received the Olympics with out successful the Olympics?
‘Oh, sh*t, am I really on this?’ Residence-country darling sends Olympics into frenzy
Sens: There have been quite a few feel-good tales heading into this one, together with Camillo Villegas, who withdrew from the Olympics in Rio so he might attempt to retain his Tour card (and later went by such horrible heartache, dropping a daughter to sickness). However within the competitors itself, I’ll go together with France’s personal Victor Perez. First, he has the consideration of hitting the opening shot, after which rounds issues out by making a legit run on the gold on Sunday. Birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie! Not even probably the most insouciant Parisian might have feigned boredom at that.
Hirsh: I’m fairly certain it’s “Golf on the Olympics,” proper? Not precisely a “who,” however I don’t actually assume there’s a greater reply. There was a lot speak about whether or not golf ought to stay within the Olympics and whereas I believe it’s clear a gold medal continues to be valued under the majors by most gamers, it’s clearly gaining status. We’ve got to do not forget that that is simply the third Olympics with golf again within the lineup. There are nonetheless tweaks to be made and I firmly imagine there must be a workforce competitors, nevertheless it’s clear golf has cemented its place in world sport’s showcase.
Dethier: Sure and sure. I’ll add Hideki Matsuyama, who was devastated to narrowly miss out on a medal at his residence video games in Tokyo however earned redemption by way of bronze on Sunday.
4. Schauffele made the PGA Tour Participant of the 12 months race tighter when he received his second main title on the Open Championship, however did Scheffler’s gold lock up the consideration, even with three playoff occasions remaining?
Scottie Scheffler steals Olympic gold medal with epic comeback in Paris
Sens: I believe so. Particularly when you think about the best way he did it, blazing from behind to overhaul Schauffele himself. That mentioned, if we’re inserting bets on Participant of the 12 months in 2025, I’m placing the home on Xander. His huge breakthroughs this yr really feel like indicators of tons, tons extra to come back.
Hirsh: See my reply above. Sure.
Dethier: When Xander wins the FedEx Cup we’re going to have a captivating dialogue.
5. We aren’t finished at Le Golf Nationwide but, with the girls’s Olympic Golf competitors starting on Wednesday. What’s your storyline to look at, and who wins?
Nelly and Xander received Olympic gold. Now they need one thing extra
Sens: Nelly Korda. In what has been a outstanding season, she’s now received an opportunity to defend her gold.
Hirsh: In two Olympics, just one participant, male or feminine, has medaled in each. Lydia Ko has been chasing her remaining Corridor of Fame level actually the complete season. How superb would it not be for her to clinch that elusive final level by successful gold and medaling for the third straight video games? Speak about longevity.
Dethier: Nelly Korda must be the highest storyline; she received six occasions in seven begins, then missed three cuts in a row. Now what?!
When you’re on the lookout for one other contender simply head to No. 2 within the Rolex Rating; Lilia Vu has been actually sturdy since getting back from damage. It’ll be much more enjoyable viewing now that we’ve had per week to get accustomed to the course and its rhythm of play.
6. The PGA Tour common season involves a detailed this week with the Wyndham Championship, the place execs are nonetheless battling for positioning (together with the highest 70 to make the playoffs). Whose situation are you most fascinated with with the FedEx Cup Playoffs looming?
Sens: Hmm, properly. Matt Kuchar is attempting to maintain a streak of 17-straight playoff appearances alive. And whereas I can’t say the thrill of that’s maintaining me awake at night time, it’s extra compelling than questioning whether or not Andrew Putnam will leapfrog Brandon Todd. The fellows on the bubble clearly have some built-in curiosity. This yr, although, I’ll be extra drawn to what occurs close to the highest because the playoffs come down the stretch. The horse race between Schauffele and Scheffler–each coming off epic seasons, each in primo kind– ought to present some respectable theater.
Hirsh: The truth that execs aren’t battling for his or her Tour playing cards at this occasion any extra diminishes a few of the intrigue for me. That mentioned the checklist of these on the surface trying in proper now’s fairly stout. Olympics hero Victor Perez is No. 71! Additionally on the surface are Lucas Glover, Keith Mitchell, Nicolai Hojgaard, Michael Kim, Joel Dahmen, Alejandro Tosti and 4 winner’s this season! However probably the most intriguing identify is Rickie Fowler who’s 104th after a weird follow-up yr to his resurgent 2023. He’s not enjoying the Wyndham so his common season is over, nevertheless it’s however a really unusual yr for certain for Fowler.
Dethier: I discover myself most intrigued by the presence of Jordan Spieth, who at No. 63 within the FedEx Cup is probably going a secure wager to make the playoffs however has some work to do if he’s going to crack the top-50 and punch his ticket to the 2024 Signature Occasions. It’s admittedly anticlimactic going from medal speak to FedEx Cup factors speak — however by subsequent weekend we’ll be fired up once more for one more tight end. Golf!!
