Olympic Golf Shines in Paris: A Golden Moment for the Sport
SAINT QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France (AP) — The excitement was palpable at the Paris Olympics as Scottie Scheffler, overcome with emotion, stood on the podium with a gold medal draped around his neck, the American flag waving proudly behind him. The moment was a testament to the growing significance of golf in the Olympic Games.
Scottie Scheffler was not the only golfer feeling the weight of the moment. Jason Day, a former world No. 1 and major champion from Australia, admitted that it took him two holes to settle his nerves. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Tom Kim couldn’t hold back his tears after narrowly missing out on a medal, reflecting the intense emotional journey of participating in the Olympics.
The Olympic golf competition is fierce, offering only three medals over four days, leaving the remaining 57 players without any recognition. Despite this, Scheffler’s performance earned him a modest $37,500 from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympics Committee, a fraction of the $28 million he has amassed this year.
Rory McIlroy, another prominent golfer, commented on the significance of the Olympic Games, comparing it to the revered Ryder Cup. “Two of the most meaningful weeks in my career are two events where we make no money,” McIlroy said, emphasizing the pure competition and honor associated with the Olympics and the Ryder Cup.
The drama of the final two hours of the competition was reminiscent of some of golf’s greatest moments. Six players vied for the gold medal, providing an electric atmosphere. Victor Perez of France hit the opening tee shot, setting the stage for an 81-hour journey to determine the medalists.
In the final stretch, Rahm, McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, the defending Olympic champion, all had their chances but faltered. This opened the door for Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, who delivered the lowest Sunday round of his career with a stunning 62.
Tommy Fleetwood, known for his successes at Le Golf National, was in contention until he missed a crucial 20-foot par putt on the 17th hole. His subsequent miss on the 18th green sealed his fate, though he still expressed immense pride in being an Olympic medalist. “I never dreamt of being an Olympic medalist,” Fleetwood said, highlighting the unique prestige of the achievement.
The event sold out its 30,000 ticket allotment, with an enthusiastic crowd that mirrored the energy of a Ryder Cup. The turnout was a positive sign for the sport’s future in the Olympics, especially compared to previous games in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, where spectator presence was either minimal or nonexistent due to the pandemic.
Looking ahead, there are plans to introduce a mixed-team competition, potentially adding another layer of excitement to the Olympic golf format. This change would see men and women competing together, further enhancing the appeal of the sport in the Olympics.
Since its return to the Olympic program in 2016, golf has continued to gain momentum. The sport had been absent from the Olympics for 112 years, with its last appearance in 1904. The initial hesitation of top players to participate has now shifted, with the Paris Games showcasing the high level of competition and the importance placed on Olympic participation.
Scottie Scheffler’s golden moment in Paris is a significant milestone for Olympic golf, demonstrating the sport’s growing prestige and the deep emotions it can evoke. As the Olympics move to Los Angeles in 2028, the anticipation for golf continues to build, promising even greater excitement and competition in the years to come.
“This is exactly what Olympic golf needs,” Schauffele remarked. “To have a field like this and to put on a show like this is crucial for all the top players to feel like they want to play it.” The future looks bright for golf in the Olympics, with Paris 2024 marking another step forward for the sport on the world stage.
