Olympic Games: Scottie Scheffler wins gold for USA

Scottie Scheffler has written another chapter in the story of his remarkable 2024 by winning Olympic gold.

The world No.1 closed with a nine-under 62 at Le Golf National to scythe through the pack and finish on top of the podium on a scintillating final day of the men’s individual strokeplay.

Scheffler finished on 19-under-par, one shot clear of Tommy Fleetwood, who won silver for Team GB, with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama a further shot adrift in the bronze medal position.

Victory for Scheffler makes it back-to-back gold medals for the United States in the men’s Olympic golf competition, following Xander Schauffele’s triumph in Tokyo three years ago.

“I love being out here competing,” said Scheffler. “It’s one of my favourite things in the world to do and it’s a great joy in my life. I’m proud to be out here competing.”

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The usually stoic two-time major champion’s emotions overcame him during the medal ceremony, when he broke down in tears.

“First and foremost, I’m proud of the country I’m from,” he said. “I’m proud to be American. I got emotional the other night watching the gold medal ceremony for the women’s gymnastics. I take tremendous pride in coming over here and representing my country.

“It was just very emotional being up there on stage there as the flag is being raised and sitting there singing the national anthem. That’s definitely one I’ll remember for a long time.”

For Fleetwood, there were mixed emotions at not winning, but still leaving with a silver medal.

“There’s part of me that’s disappointed, of course, but at the same time, I never dreamt that I would be an Olympic medallist,” said the Englishman.

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“I’m still unbelievably proud and happy with the way the week went. I was proud of the way I played today. This was an incredible atmosphere to play in front of this week and to be a part of.

“I haven’t been in the mix that much recently, and I think being back there and playing well and feeling how I felt again, yeah, I enjoyed it so much and I’m unbelievably proud to be an Olympic medallist. I never thought that that would happen.”

Final Standings – Men’s Olympic Golf Competition 2024 (Top-20)

1. Scottie Scheffler, -19

2. Tommy Fleetwood, -18

3. Hideki Matsuyama, -17

4. Victor Perez, -16

T5. Rory McIlroy, -15

T5. Jon Rahm, -15

7. Nicolai Hojgaard, -14

8. Tom Kim, -13

T9. Corey Conners, -12

T9. Jason Day, -12

T9. Joaquin Niemann, -12

T9. Thomas Detry, -12

T9. Xander Schauffele, -12

T14. Wyndham Clark, -11

T14. Thorbjorn Olesen, -11

16. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, -10

17. Erik van Rooyen, -9

T18. Alejandro Tosti, -8

T18. CT Pan, -8

T18. Matteo Manassero, -8

T18. Ludvig Aberg, -8

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