Men's Golf Olympic Games Preview 2024

Xander Schauffele will be back to defend his title at Le Golf National and will fancy his chances of becoming the first man to retain the gold medal since golf was reintroduced to the Olympics.

• Olympic Games Golf 2021
• Olympic Games Golf Preview 2024
• Form Guide
• Five To Follow

Olympic Games Golf 2021

Three years ago Schauffele could hardly contain his excitement as he held off Rory Sabbatini, representing Slovakia, to win the Olympic gold medal in Japan.

At the time, it was the American’s biggest win. He has, of course, since gone on to win the 2024 US PGA Championship and The Open Championship and will be a red-hot favourite to retain his title at Le Golf National.

Schauffele was tied for the lead with Sabbatini with two holes to play. The American made birdie from 6 feet on the 17th hole to regain the lead. Then after a bad tee shot that forced him to play short of the water, he hit wedge to 4 feet and made the par to win.

When asked whether he felt more pressure than at any other time in his career, the U.S. golfer said: "I don't know, equal or more. Probably more, in all honesty. For me, I really wanted to win for my dad. I am sure he is crying somewhere right now. I kind of wanted this one more than any other.

"First up, you are trying to represent your country to the best of your ability and then you add family stuff on top of that and, you know, I'm probably going to have a nice call with my grandparents tonight. I am sure they are back home, everyone is back home watching. I was feeling the love from San Diego and Las Vegas this whole time. I'm a little speechless right now, quite honestly.”

Sabbatini set an Olympic record with a 61 to win the silver. C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei, who closed with a 63, won the bronze in the playoff among seven countries that lasted four holes.

Olympic Games Golf Preview 2024

Whilst Schauffele will be back to defend his title, he is going to have his work cut out for him. Great Britain will be represented by Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Fleetwood will have fond memories of Le Golf National. He won four out of a possible five points when Europe thrashed the USA here in the Ryder Cup in 2018.

The Englishman won all four matches in partnership with Francesco Molinari before losing his singles match and will relish the prospect of returning to a course upon which he also won the French Open in 2017.

Fleetwood began the season with victory in Dubai and recorded his best finish at The Masters in April, finishing in a tie for third.

After winning the US Open in 2022, Fitzpatrick added the RBC Heritage last year before joining Fleetwood in his third Ryder Cup as Europe once again thumped the USA at Marco Simone.

Team GB’s chef de mission Mark England said: “We are thrilled to have two golfers with such tremendous pedigree representing Team GB this summer. It is great to welcome Matt into the fold for his first Olympic Games and to have Tommy back. Of course, this course holds special memories for Tommy so we are certain he and Matt will both be looking forward to playing Paris once again.”

This is a very different week for these golfers. Used to playing for million-dollar cheques every week, there is nothing more than pride at stake, not to mention the honour of possibly standing on top of the podium with a gold medal round your neck as your national anthem blasts out. Justin Rose, who won seven years ago, said that winning the gold medal was the honour of his life and was right up there with his US Open success.

Although it is a limited field of just 60, many of the world’s finest golfers will be in action alongside lesser names playing simply for the glory of representing their country.

And there are some incredibly strong teams. Ireland will be represented by Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, France by Matthieu Pavon and Victor Perez, Italy by Matteo Manassero and Gudo Migliozzi, Australia by Min Woo Lee and Jason Day and Sweden by Ludvig Aberg and Alex Noren.

This tournament is not officially sanctioned by either the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, and that means there will also be some LIV golfers in action, including Jon Rahm, Jaoquinn Niemann and Abraham Ancer.

But the team to beat could well be Canada, represented by Corey Conners and Nick Taylor. Conners is one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour and in Taylor he has a proven winner alongside him. Don’t be surprised to see one or both of these men in contention for medals.

Form Guide

Xander Schauffele is enjoying a fabulous season and has enjoyed being Olympic champion. He will want to win another gold medal and in a field of just 60 players he will definitely fancy his chances

To Win:

Xander Schauffele. Defending champion

Each way:

Nick Taylor. Full of confidence

Each way:

Tommy Fleetwood. Loves this course

Five Players To Follow

Xander Schauffele. Going for gold

Nick Taylor. Hugely underrated

Tommy Fleetwood. Has won here - and has great Ryder Cup memories

Ludvig Aberg. He couldn’t could he? Of course he could

Min Woo Lee. Fabulous swing

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