As we head into the final round of the men’s Olympic golf competition, there’s a solid argument to be made that this is the best leaderboard of the year.
Spaniard Jon Rahm, the former world No.1 and multi-time major champ who defected to LIV Golf last year but who comes into Paris having won his maiden title on that circuit last week, is tied for the lead with American Xander Schauffele — a winner of two majors this summer and the defending gold medallist — at 14 under. Just a shot back is Englishman Tommy Fleetwood at 13 under.
There are 12 golfers within just five shots of the leading duo. And on a golf course where birdies have come in bunches all week, the medals are still very much up for grabs.
“I’m very, very excited to play. You look at the leaderboard, the leaderboard is amazing,” Fleetwood said. “It’s like a leaderboard that you would expect at the Olympics and probably what the sport deserves.”
The precedent has been set for drama-filled finales at the Olympics, with last year’s bronze medal being awarded in a seven-man playoff.
The chasing pack will need a solid Sunday in order to put some pressure on the leaders, but Nicolai Højgaard proved that exact thing could happen at Le Golf National. Højgaard, of Denmark, shot a 9-under 62 Saturday to tie the course record (which, ironically, was held by his twin brother, Rasmus) to move into a tie for fourth — just two shots back of a medal position.
“I think I went out there just like there’s something to lose, we are so far behind. We are going out, playing aggressive, trying to hit some good shots,” Højgaard said. “It was pretty cool to see and good to convince myself again that I can do it down the stretch in the third round. But now it’s a completely different thing tomorrow. We are going to go out, there’s a medal on the line. Going to go out and try to do the same thing and stay patient.
“We are in perfect position after today’s round.”
Højgaard is tied at 11 under with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who was part of the seven-man bronze-medal playoff at the delayed Tokyo Games — while Irishman Rory McIlroy (also part of the playoff), world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Thomas Detry of Belgium, and Tom Kim of South Korea (with his country’s military service exemption on the line) are a shot further back at 10 under.
McIlroy said it’s “amazing for the game” to have all the big names near the top of the board through 54 holes at the Olympics. It’s taken a few tries, but the buzz is certainly there for Olympic golf this time around.
“I think it’s a little more fun than a major. Sort of like a celebration in a way,” McIlroy said of the atmosphere on Saturday. “It has the feel of a big-time event for sure. Maybe the crowd is a little more enthusiastic.
“I think the one thing that we’ve been taken aback by is just how many people are out there. I think that was the thing that I’ve been surprised by. My first one was in Tokyo. Especially the contrast of having no one here on the practice days, and then getting here and having 20,000 people (watching), it’s really cool. I think that’s been the big talking point, just how great the support has been for us out here.”
Canadian Corey Conners had a front-row seat to the support of McIlroy Saturday, as the native of Listowel, Ont., was grouped with him and another former world No. 1 Jason Day.
“I don’t think there wasn’t a hole where there wasn’t a ‘Rory’ chant,” Conners said.
To his credit, the Canadian got off to an impressive start and was within shouting distance of the podium through the beginning part of his day. He was 3 under through six holes, but Conners got stuck in neutral after a bogey on No. 12 (he was between clubs for his approach and ended up short of the green).
He finished with a 2-under 69 and is six back of the bronze-medal position.
Fellow Canadian Nick Taylor had his best round of the competition so far, a 3-under 68. He is tied for 34th through three rounds.
Conners once again pointed to the putter as the make-or-break club for him on Saturday. He had it rolling early, but admitted he got “inconsistent” with his strikes as the day went on — some were too firm, some he felt a little tentative. He said he’ll head into Sunday just trying to find a nice rhythm he can trust to make a final-round charge. Conners missed five birdie tries of 16 feet or less on his back nine.
“I got off to a good start, first and foremost. The atmosphere was crazy today. It was good to get off to a good start. Just wasn’t able to take advantage of any opportunities, mostly on the second nine,” Conners said.
“I felt like I gave myself a ton of really good looks … my misses were pretty good today. I just have to find a feel where I can capitalize on the putts.”
If Conners can get things clicking on the greens, he’s got a chance. And then there are the biggest names in the sport on the top of the biggest leaderboard so far in 2024. Can Schauffele defend? Can Scheffler add a golden topper to his incredible season? Can Rahm prove the doubters wrong? Can Fleetwood win a big one? Can McIlroy mount a charge?
There’s plenty still to come in the final round at Le Golf National.
“Everyone is shooting for the top position,” Schauffele said. “Unlike every tournament we play, there is a reward for the top three (…) Normal events, even when you finish second or third, you don’t feel great about it. But if you’re able to podium, it’s always special.”