Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm share the lead at 14-under-par heading into the final round of the Olympic men's golf competition at Le Golf National
It's set to be a thrilling final day at the Paris 2024 Olympic men's golf competition at Le Golf National. Don't just take my word for it, just one shot off the lead is Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood who is buzzing with excitement as he prepares for the final round on Sunday, just one shot behind the leaders:
"I'm very, very excited to play. You look at the leaderboard, the leaderboard is amazing. It's like a leaderboard that you would expect at the Olympics and probably what the sport deserves.
"Happy to be a part of it and been doing very well so far. So we'll see. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow."
Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who is four shots behind the leaders, is equally enthusiastic about the final round, highlighting the quality of the competition:
"It's amazing for the game to see all those players up there. Obviously Xander who has had an incredible year; Scottie, best player in the world; you've got Jon Rahm, some younger players; Nicolai shooting 62 today. Yeah, it's an amazing leaderboard and should be an exciting day tomorrow."
So the scene for excitement is set but who is in the mix after the third round?
Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm share the Olympic men's golf lead
American Xander Schauffele is looking to add a second Olympic gold, to cap off what has been a sensational season with two Majors at the PGA Championship and The 152nd Open.
A solid three-under-par 68 on Saturday, including an eagle on 14, means he maintains a hold of the lead at 14-under-par. At Tokyo 2020, Schauffele also shot a 68 in the third round and followed up with a 67 to win by one shot at 18-under-par. Could that be the marker for Paris 2024 too?
The defending Olympic champion acknowledges the unique pressure of the Olympics, where the top three positions hold special significance. "Everyone is shooting for the top position. Unlike every tournament we play, there is a reward for the top three, which money aside, I would say, 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."
With Schauffele at the top of the leaderboard is Spain's Jon Rahm. In his first Olympics and coming into the week after winning the individual title at LIV Golf UK, he brings a wave of confidence that may have been lacking earlier on in the season.
Reflecting on his recent form, Rahm said, "I've been playing good all year, but I haven't been able to give myself the best chances. For this last month, to be playing as good as I have, and slowly get better; the win last week, and give myself an opportunity this week, as well, is very, very gratifying. It's nice to see things going so well for the last month, and after having won to be in this position again so quickly."
Nicolai Højgaard throws caution to the wind
As already mentioned, Fleetwood is one shot back and will definitely be improving on his tied 16th finish in Tokyo.
After leading for two rounds, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama will start the final round three shots behind at 11-under-par, after an even par Saturday, which started with two early bogeys. Matsuyama came within touching distance of a medal in Tokyo, but as part of a seven-man sudden death play-off he could not advance past the first extra hole and had to share fourth with Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy, Sebastián Muñoz, Mito Pereira and Paul Casey. The bronze medal went to Pan Cheng-tsung of Chinese Taipei.
Sharing fourth is Denmark's Nicolai Højgaard who had an exceptional third round, matching the course record of 62. With nothing to lose, he threw caution to the wind and it paid off.
Looking ahead, Højgaard understands the unique pressure of competing for an Olympic medal. "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. It's always slightly tough on a Sunday. We are in a perfect position after today's round."
Scottie Scheffler looking to add Olympic Champion to his CV
Danger lurks for the leaders four shots behind at 10-under-par with World Number one American Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, alongside Korea's Tom Kim and Belgian Thomas Dentry.
Scheffler is determined to put his best foot forward in the final round. "Well, I'd like to be leading. I feel like I haven't had my best stuff the last few days but I've done enough to hang in there and stay in the tournament. Around this course, you can get hot. You saw Nicolai had a really nice round today, and I'm going to need something like that tomorrow if I'm going to be holding a medal."
The American is focused on getting off to a strong start. "Yeah, just look looking forward to tomorrow; getting off to a good start. I've birdied the first hole the last two days, and I haven't really been able to ride the momentum throughout the round. Keep trying to execute and put myself in spots and hope to see some putts go in."
With a 62 coming in the third round, you can be sure that an upset could still be likely from further down the leaderboard, as many players will feel they can have the freedom to hunt down an Olympic medal.
Unfortunately, one player who has no chance to medal is Great Britain's Matt Fitzpatrick who had to withdraw after the third round due to an ongoing injury with his right thumb.
As I said at the start, we can be sure we're in for a thrilling final day at Le Golf National, when we'll see just how much a gold medal and being crowned Olympic Champion means to these golfers.
View the full Paris 2024 men's Olympic Golf competition leaderboard here.
