SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Scottie Scheffler capped off his remarkable year with a thrilling victory in the Olympic men's golf tournament at Le Golf National, rallying from a four-shot deficit on Sunday with a spectacular 9-under 62 to claim the gold medal.
Already a six-time PGA Tour winner this year, including his second Masters title, Scheffler’s Olympic gold further highlights his extraordinary season. His final-round performance kept around 30,000 fans on the edge of their seats during a dramatic last two hours.
World No. 1 Scheffler received significant assistance as Jon Rahm of Spain, who held a four-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood when he reached the 11th tee, suffered a surprising collapse, allowing Fleetwood to catch up in just two holes.
Scheffler surged to the top with four consecutive birdies down the stretch, highlighted by a crucial 18-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole after a remarkable recovery shot from deep rough. This put him in the lead for the first time all day.
He set an Olympic record with a 72-hole total of 19-under 265. Fleetwood, who fell out of the lead with a bogey from the rough on the 17th, recovered with a par on the final hole for a 66 to secure the silver medal.
Scheffler’s win marks the second consecutive gold medal for an American in men's golf, following Xander Schauffele's victory at the Tokyo Games. Schauffele, who was tied for the 54-hole lead with Rahm, also experienced a late collapse, as did Rory McIlroy, who was one stroke off the lead before hitting a wedge into the water on the 15th hole.