Matt Fitzpatrick withdraws from Olympic golf

Matt Fitzpatrick has withdrawn from the Men’s Olympic Golf Competition with 18 holes left to play at Le Golf National.

The former US Open champion pulled out of the medal chase shortly after carding an 81 in the third round.

In a statement, the International Golf Federation said: “Team Great Britain’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who entered this week with a preexisting right thumb strain, has withdrawn due to injury following the third round of the men’s Olympic golf competition.”

English ace Fitzpatrick had opened with a 73 but fired himself back into contention for a medal with a second round 64.

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However, he came undone on the homeward stretch in round three, a quadruple-bogey on the 15th contributing to a back nine of 42.

Ahead of the competition, Fitzpatrick had spoken about what finishing the week on the podium would mean to him.

“The gold medal isn’t at the top of every golfer’s list, the four majors are,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that.

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“But I’d certainly say it’s underneath that. Before I arrived here and kind of got the feel for the Olympics itself, you probably underestimate how big it is and once you are here, and you realise the gravity of the whole event and how much it means to other people, not just as an athlete and golfer, you realize that a gold medal would feel very special.

“So yeah, you definitely want to try and win one. I would definitely say it’s higher on the list than I thought it would be, probably, growing up.”

With Fitzpatrick’s withdrawal, Team GB’s medal hopes now rest with Tommy Fleetwood, who started the final round in the bronze position, a shot behind joint leaders Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor