Historically Golf & Paris Olympics
Golf has been included again at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with fans worldwide buzzing about it. The prestigious Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France, is the stage with the creme of world golf talent in pursuit of the iconic gold medal. Large galleries are on hand to watch golfers like Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler, representing Team USA, as they compete against the 60-player field.
After an action-packed opening day, we break down all the Round 1 top moments, top players and what to look forward to.
Round 1 Highlights
There was plenty of excitement and drama from Day One of the competition. Getting off to a flying start, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama also shone on the first day, finishing the round 8 under par (63). Matsuyama’s precision and poise firmly established him as the man to beat.
Team USA had mixed fortunes.
- Xander Schauffele, who won the Olympic event four years ago, found himself in a good spot in second place. His steady 6-under-par round revealed his resolve to defend his gold medal. Five birdies on his impressive front nine paved the way for an incredible day.
- Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 golfer, finished at four under par, tied for sixth. Though Scheffler was steady, he would need to pick it up a notch to do some damage and compete for a medal.
- Among the fan favourites, Collin Morikawa finished his first round tied for 29th at one under par. A breakthrough could see him rocket up the leaderboard in the following rounds.
- Unfortunately, Wyndham Clark struggled to tie for 56th at four over par, which gives him a bit of catching up to do over the next three rounds.
The race was equally international on the playing field, with golfers from Argentina, South Korea, Sweden, and Great Britain clustering at the top.
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A Pause in the Action Due to Weather
Nature did its part to keep the tournament from taking a predictable turn. Round 1 was also temporarily stopped twice because of Le Golf National’s weather. Midday thunderstorms and lightning led to a 39-minute delay, with a longer shutdown occurring later in the afternoon.
All of that made it difficult for the players’ minds and bodies. Nevertheless, most players persevered and completed their rounds, leaving a crowded leaderboard at the end of the day.
Team USA Overview
The Team USA Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games combines repeat champions and new Olympic blood.
- Tokyo 2020 Gold medalist Xander Schauffele was a veteran presence in pursuit of his next Olympic crown. His knowledge of high-stakes competitions is an asset for Team USA.
- Making his Olympic debut, Scottie Scheffler has all the tools to shine on golf’s grandest stage. His World No. 1 status is a reminder of his stability and dominance in the sport.
- Similar is the case with Collin Morikawa, a character with Major titles in his illustrious career. He expects nothing but the best for Team USA’s goals.
- Wyndham Clark, one of the newer arrivals at the Olympics, also suffered early setbacks but may be able to recover in the later rounds.
Individually, these athletes have no talent shortage, which can turn Team USA into a podium threat.
Looking Ahead
The tournament is just starting as we head into the final three rounds. The leaders will only go back and forth as they navigate the tough par-71 layout at Le Golf National. Here are some storylines to watch as the tournament continues:
- If Hideki Matsuyama makes a run to or if he will get pushed.
- Xander Schauffele’s pursuit of a second Olympic gold medal.
- Scottie Scheffler’sScheffler’s burgeoning contest for his first Olympic title.
- Last year, this potential came to fruition with Joaquin Niemann (Chile) and Tommy Fleetwood (Great Britain) emerging as threats to the country’s top golfers.
Olympic golf is simply too random and weather-dependent for judgments or assessments to be made after 18 holes.
From the Inside Out, Find the Soul of Olympic Golf
From star turns to storm delays, Day One at the 2024 Paris Olympics was full of memorable moments. With Team USA well-represented and Hideki Matsuyama leading the way, fans are in for an extremely exciting tournament.
Follow the Olympic golf leaderboard and get the latest results as we share the highlights, analysis, and updated standings for each women’s event round. Will Team USA dominate? Can Matsuyama hold his lead? We’ll have it all in the days to come.
Get ready for even more great golf to come. Live coverage can be seen on Golf Channel or streamed on NBC’s NBC’s app or Peacock. Don’t miss a moment.
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