Scottie Scheffler has played a lot of golf and won a lot of tournaments, enough to be ranked No. 1 in the world.
But he’s never experienced anything like what he experienced Sunday, when he stepped to the top of the three-tiered medal platform, had a gold medal draped around his neck and watched the U.S. flag go up a pole as the national anthem played.
So as he mouthed the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” his right hand over his heart, Scheffler couldn’t help but cry, wiping at the tears with a sleeve of his blue USA jacket.
“Hearing everybody in the stands singing the national anthem, it’s a pretty special thing to be a part of,” he said. “It was just very emotional being up there on stage as the flag is being raised, singing the national anthem. Definitely one I’ll remember for a long time.”
He then shared a hug with his wife, Meredith, who was wearing a USA cap, and 2-month-old son, Bennett, who was wrapped in a blanket adorned with American flags.
“Any time you can be part of the Olympics is really special,” Scheffler said. “And for golf to be on the Olympic stage is a tremendous amount of fun for us.”
Scheffler has already won six PGA Tour events this season, but he may have saved his best round of the year for Sunday, shooting a nine-under 62 to wipe out a four-stroke deficit and beat silver medalist Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain by a stroke with a 19-under 265. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama was another stroke back in third.
Spain’s Jon Rahm, who started the day tied for the lead with defending champion Xander Schauffele of San Diego, looked to have the gold medal sewn up when he made the turn with a four-shot lead. But he carded four bogeys and a double bogey over the final eight holes to fall into a tie for fifth at 269. Schauffele had an even tougher afternoon, shooting a final-round 73 to finish seven shots back.
That opened the door for Scheffler, who birdied half the 18 holes, including three of the last four, to grab the lead when he overtook Fleetwood with a 15-foot putt on 17.
That did little to temper the Briton’s Olympic experience.
“As a young boy taking up the game of golf, none of us here had the chance to dream of being an Olympian or winning an Olympic medal. It was never on our agenda,” said Fleetwood, who finished 16th in the Tokyo Games. “That quickly changes when you are part of the Olympics. It feels unbelievably special.
“I didn’t win gold today. But standing on that podium with a medal in front of the crowd was one of the most amazing moments I’ve had as a golfer. I’ll remember all those times for the rest of my life.”
Gold medalist Scottie Scheffler, of the U.S., center, stands beside Tommy Fleetwood, silver medalist of Britain, and Hideki Matsuyama, bronze medalist of Japan, smile after the men’s golf medal ceremony Sunday.
(George Walker IV / Associated Press)
Even the crowd was Olympian, with an estimated 30,000 people, more than many PGA events draw, lining the fairways at Le Golf National, about 25 miles southwest of Paris. But they mostly cheered for countries, not individuals, waving flags and breaking into chants as if it were a soccer game and not a golf tournament.
“The crowds were amazing,” Fleetwood said. “It was a different atmosphere to what we get week in, week out, in terms of the amount of fans that are supporting their nation. Just a different vibe.”
Golf rejoined the Olympic schedule in 2016 after a 112-year absence, but few of the world’s top players seemed interested. That’s changed.
“We typically look at where we finished every week and how much money we’ve made this week,” added Jason Day, who was decked out in the bright yellow and green of Australia. “It’s not the same. You’re playing for your country and that’s a very humbling experience and very, very honoring experience.
“I never thought I’d be so nervous in certain clothing and certain color clothing. But [you’re] playing for more than yourself, which is fantastic.”
Day shot a final-round 68 to finish with a 12-under 272, tying him for ninth place with Canadian Corey Conners. But neither man seemed to be counting, choosing to accept the Olympics as an experience as much as a competition.
“I grew up watching the Olympics as a kid and cheering on the Canadian athletes. It’s really cool to be a part of that and definitely a huge honor to represent Canada,” said Conners, who took part in the opening ceremonies and spent his first night in Paris in the Olympic village.
“Wouldn’t give it any second thought. It’s amazing to be here, to represent your country. It was a fantastic week here. The buzz around the event was really special.”