“This position brings with it its own mental challenges. You’re playing for a medal. Fourth means nothing. We constantly get asked the question, ‘where does the Olympic sit in golf’. I look at it through my son Frankie’s eyes. If I had a gold medal, it would be passed on to him when I was gone and I think ‘what an unbelievably special thing to have’.”
For the record, Frankie was born just before the 2018 Ryder Cup and was here in his pram. He is back and the cries are now out of joy for his father. Yes, the Fleetwood omens seem to line up around each and every dogleg here.
The problem is that there is sizable reality-checker in Schauffele, who posted a 66. Not only is the world No 2 defending his Olympic title, but he also won the Open two weeks ago and the US PGA in May. This could be one of the great campaigns and it does feel as if he is on auto-pliot. To him and us.
“When you’re in good form, all you know is making the correct decision and executing the shot – and rinse and repeating that process,” he said. “So don’t let too much try and bother you.”
McIlroy: The enthusiasm is fantastic
It is a stellar leaderboard with Jon Rahm in fourth. The Spaniard can scowl with the best of them, but such is the positive energy supplied by the fans that the golfers are reacting differently.
Normally, Rory McIlroy would not be pleased at all after a double-bogey on the 17th, regardless of him hitting it stiff on the 18th for a 69 that leaves him six behind on five-under. But the occasion is uplifting and with even more expected after the 25,000-plus who have graced the first two days, the stage is set.
“It’s going to be mobbed,” McIlroy was told. “Yeah, and it’s just a great atmosphere to play in,” he replied. “Honestly, it’s awesome, just the enthusiasm is fantastic.”
As he tends to, McIlroy inspired the loudest roar of the day when he hit the pin from 260 yards with his second on the par-five third. McIlroy did not realise until told by Telegraph Sport after the round that the flagstick had got in his ball’s way. “I shouldn’t have been so happy with that eagle then,” he said.
McIlroy realises he will require more of the same on Saturday to thrust himself into contention. “The greens are receptive and you’ve seen that there are low scores out there,” he said. “It could be an amazing finale.”