Scottie Scheffler produced a stunning 9-under 62 at Le Golf National on Sunday, equaling the course record and edging out a star-studded leaderboard to win gold in the men's Olympic golf tournament.
On a thrilling final day on the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish, shooting 19-under-par as he cruised to victory, highlighted by an impressive back-9 29 to underline his status as world No.1. .
Team GB's Tommy Fleetwood failed to emulate Rio 2016 gold medalist Justin Rose as a closing 66 saw him claim silver, one shot behind at 18-under.
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama rounded out the podium finishers with bronze, finishing a shot back.
Frenchman Victor Perez delighted the home crowd with a final round of 63 to finish alone in fourth place at 16-under, while Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm tied for fifth at 15-under.
Scheffler trailed fellow overnight leaders Xander Schauffele – who was targeting back-to-back golds – and Rahm by four shots but showed his pedigree to follow up the fast start with an electric finish that included a run of four straight birdies from the 14th hole. 17.
The victory is Scheffler's seventh title in what has been an impressive year, which already includes his successful defense of The Players Championship title and his second green jacket at the Masters Tournament in April.
Fleetwood took the lead with Scheffler on the 17th tee, but a poor chip shot behind the green led to a costly bogey and he couldn't get a birdie at the end to force a playoff after his over shot. green.
“There's a disappointed part of me, but I never dreamed I'd be an Olympic medalist so I'm incredibly proud and happy with how the week went,” said Fleetwood. “Standing on that stage with the medal was one of the most important moments I've ever had.”
Matsuyama, who held a share of the team lead, fell short on Saturday with a level-par 71, but bounced back in style with a bogey-free 65 to claim a medal in his second Olympics.
Earlier in the day, Rahm appeared to be on his way to winning gold for Spain as he opened four shots at the turn, but back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12 thwarted his momentum. A double bogey-7 on the par-5 14th continued to hurt his hopes before he missed the podium altogether with back-to-back bogeys on his final two holes.
RORY RUES A BAD VISIT TO THE WATER
McIlroy finished alongside his Ryder Cup teammates after closing with a determined 66, with a double bogey on the 15th when he found water in his path ending his chance at a medal.
Summing up the week's experience, McIlroy said: “I still think the Ryder Cup is the best tournament we have in our game, in terms of pure competition, but I think this is it.” [the Olympics] it has the potential to be there as well.
“With the way golf is at its best right now, you think of two tournaments that could be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don't play for money in either of them. So it speaks volumes about what is important in sports. I think every single player this week had an amazing experience.”
For final scores from the men's Olympic golf tournament click here.
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