Leading into this week, there was still a fierce debate as to whether golf within the Olympic programme should exist. Through the first two Olympic cycles where golf has included some of the games top stars opted to give the event swerve and the reaction from the golfing public has been a little underwhelming.
However, that narrative has now changed. After four pulsating days of action where eight of the top ten in the world were in action, golf and the Olympics finally feel like they belong. With the scrap for the medals going right down to the wire. Here are the week’s main talking points.
Scottie Scheffler Shows Class to Take Home Gold For The USA
It seems slightly strange that after having won six titles this year, Scottie Scheffler’s magnificent year has been somewhat overshadowed by Xander Schauffele claiming two majors.
However, after a brilliant final round, Scheffler made sure that the golfing spotlight was shining back on him as he produced some of his best golf of the year to claim the gold.
Starting the final round four shots behind the leading duo of Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, Scheffler had a chance to go out ahead of the leaders and post a score and that’s exactly what the world number one achieved.
Getting his round off to a hot start, Scheffler immediately reduced the lead to one, with three opening birdies. He would cool down, for the rest of the front nine which allowed Jon Rahm to take control, but with the Spaniard feeling the effects of leading, the door was left ajar for the American and he wouldn’t need any second invitations.
Saving his best for last, Scheffler would go onto birdie the 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes. Securing a par at the last, he would walk off the green holding a one shot lead.
Tommy Fleetwood was his nearest challenger but after the British golfer hooked his approach long and left of the green, the gold medal was Scheffler’s.
Despite winning the Masters, Players Championship and two of the PGA Tour’s Signature events, the emotion from Scheffler when he stood on top of the podium was clear for all to see. Scheffler’s tears of joy were great to see and reaffirmed to everyone the importance that the Olympics now hold in the game.
Tommy Fleetwood And Hideki Matsuyama Complete The Podium
For most of Sunday, it was Tommy Fleetwood who positioned himself as the lead chaser. Firstly seeing off the challenge of both Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, the Englishman ran out of steam when it mattered most.
Tied with Scheffler at the top as he headed down 17, a drive into the rough saw his approach go sail through the green. Left with a tricky chip, Fleetwood couldn’t hold his nerve and ended up thinning a chip to about 20 feet. Needing to find the hole to save his par, his par putt would miss by millimetres and he knew that in order to stay in the hunt he would need to find a birdie up the last.
Finding the first cut off the fairway with his drive, once again Fleetwood couldn’t contain his nerves as he sailed his approach over the green. Left with a devilishly difficult chip, amazingly Fleetwood almost holed it and saw the ball trundle just a few feet past. Needing to hole out from just three feet to secure the silver medal, he would make no mistake. Despite coming so close, when it was time to receive his medal, Fleetwood’s grin was from ear to ear and you could see he was clearly delighted with his achievement.
Alongside Fleetwood and taking back the bronze was Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama had led after the first two rounds but a poor third round left him with far too much to do.
Fighting until the end, his bronze will make up for some of the pain he would have felt at the end of the Tokyo games where he would finish amongst a cluster of players in fourth.
Demand For a Fifth Major Increase
Although some love the truncated nature of having four majors over four months, for some, four majors isn’t enough and they would like the men’s game to replicate the women’s and have a calendar consisting of five majors.
Not only would it allow another opportunity for those from the PGA and LIV Tours to play one another once more, but it would keep the interest in the game high.
Heading into the final round, the leaderboard was shaping up to be one of the very best of the year. With all of the game’s biggest names in contention, there was a major feel in the air as the field jostled for the medals.
Whilst nobody would begrudge the Olympics becoming the game’s unofficial fifth major every four years. The creation of another major would bound to be popular and could help grow the game further. There is plenty of positives for the hierarchies that control the game to take from this week, and the conversation of whether another major would fit into the calendar is a topic that is sure to be debated.
Olympics Offer a Break From The Norm
Strokeplay is the undoubted king of the formats in golf, but it’s fair to say that at times it isn’t the game most exciting.
The 2024 calendar saw the removal of the world matchplay, a decision many have criticised and with viewing numbers dwindling on the PGA Tour this year, there is an argument that there is too much strokeplay.
The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup do offer some much needed respite, but the Olympics showed that when a tournament takes on a slightly different format or the players have something different to play for the game can be captivating.
With the players having the opportunity to represent their countries, there was a new element of jeopardy brought into proceedings.
It was clear to see how proud the three medalists were, Rory McIlroy has already spoken of how excited he is to try and go for gold in four years time and Jon Rahm’s pain of missing out on a medal for Spain shows exactly what this event now means.
Variation on the golfing calendar is sorely missed and if organisers can somehow bottle the positives that have arisen from this week, the game as a whole could find itself in a much better place.
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
