Golf: Scottie Scheffler’s emotional Olympic gold triumph

Scottie Scheffler was overwhelmed after clinching gold. GETTY IMAGES

Scottie Scheffler expressed feeling “proud to be an American” after a thrilling victory in the men’s golf event to secure Olympic gold on Sunday.

The world number one was four shots behind going into the last day but matched the course record with a nine-under-par 62 to win by a single stroke. Scheffler followed in the footsteps of fellow American Xander Schauffele, who had started Sunday tied for the lead but fell back.

“I’m proud to be American,” said the 28-year-old, holding back tears on the podium. “I got emotional the other night watching the gold medal ceremony for the women’s gymnastics

“I take tremendous pride in coming over here and representing my country. It was just very emotional being up there on stage as the flag is being raised and singing the national anthem.”

Scheffler’s win in Paris was his seventh title of an extraordinary season, which includes his second Masters green jacket and second Players Championship trophy. His dominance faced a brief challenge when he was arrested at the PGA Championship in May before charges were dropped, but he quickly rebounded with victories at the Memorial Tournament and the Travellers Championship.

Scottie Scheffler expressed his delights after winning gold on Sunday. GETTY IMAGES
Scottie Scheffler expressed his delights after winning gold on Sunday. GETTY IMAGES

Known for his calm demeanour, he was eyeing the gold all along, and admitted emotions often overwhelm him after a win. “Typically I’m fairly emotional as it is. With this tournament, there wasn’t much time between winning and being ushered through everything,” he said. 

“I remember after the Masters this year, I took a bathroom break but really I just wanted to be by myself for a minute. I cried pretty good after that one.” Scheffler started strong with three consecutive birdies, including a chip-in on the second hole, to close the gap on leaders Schauffele and Jon Rahm. 

The birdies stopped, and a missed six-foot putt on the ninth was his sixth straight par. Though Rahm, who was four shots ahead after 10 holes, began to falter, and Scheffler took advantage, finishing with a six-under back nine of 29.

“I felt like at the time it was definitely slipping away,” Scheffler said about his miss on the ninth. “It can feel pretty frustrating at times to feel like you’re doing the right things and not getting anything out of it.”



Source link