U.S. world number one Scottie Scheffler secured gold in the men’s Olympic golf competition after equaling the course record with a final-round 62. Scheffler finished the tournament at 19 under par, edging out Britain’s crowd favorite Tommy Fleetwood, who took silver.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, finishing one shot behind Fleetwood, earned the bronze, improving upon his tied fourth place from the Tokyo Games three years ago.
The Olympic title caps a remarkable year for Scheffler, who also won his second Masters in April, part of a total of six tour victories this season.
His scintillating bogey-free round let him overhaul a four-shot deficit against overnight joint leaders Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm.
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Spaniard Rahm, a two-time major winner, surged into a four-shot lead after a sparkling front nine holes on Sunday before fading like U.S. defending champion Schauffele.
Fleetwood stayed in contention until the end but a bogey on the 17th hole left him a shot behind Scheffler and he was unable to birdie the last hole to force a playoff.
Fleetwood was cheered on by the large crowds who remember him for starring in Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup win over the United States at the same Le Golf National course, south of Paris.
Home supporters were thrilled with a final-day surge by Victor Perez, who hit the second-best final round to end at 16 under in fourth place.
