SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France - Not Jon Rahm or Xander Schauffele, the two golfers leading before the final round, Scottie Scheffler is the owner of the Gold Medal in men's golf at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after an explosive day of competition with a 9-under 62.

After the first 3 days of competition, Scottie Scheffler is tied for 6th place with -10. The American golfer seems to be the outsider in the championship race between Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele (both -14) and Tommy Fleetwood (-13).

Scheffler himself understands the difficult situation. He mentioned the incredible achievement of Nicolai Hojgaard, the Danish golfer who finished the third day nine under par 62, then said "You saw Nicolai had a really nice round [on Saturday], and I’m going to need something like that [on Sunday] if I’m going to be holding a medal."

Incredibly, Scheffler did it. He started strongly, birdieing the first three holes, followed by six birdies on the final nine to finish with a 62, equalling the Le Golf National course record. With a total of 19-under 265 after four days of play, Scheffler took the lead and was anxiously awaiting to see if Tommy Fleetwood, who finished second, could make something special.

This is your moment, Scottie. #Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/fiAYTvXn5t

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 4, 2024

At -18, Fleetwood could have pulled Scheffler into a play-off with a birdie on the 18th. However, the Englishman failed to get the ball onto the green as planned and failed again with a chip for birdie. Fleetwood had only himself to blame for a bogey on the penultimate hole, and was ultimately satisfied with the Silver Medal, while Scheffler took the Gold.

Scheffler, the world number 1 and two-time Masters champion (2022, 2024), became the third American male golfer to win an Olympic Gold Medal, after Charles Sands in 1900 and Schauffele in 2020. Schauffele had a great chance to defend his title but had a very disappointing performance on the final day, needing 73 to complete, thereby dropping to a tie for ninth place at -12.

Scottie Scheffler breaks down in tears as the U.S. National Anthem is played after he wins the Olympic gold medal in men’s golf.

pic.twitter.com/ncNkleU3QJ

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 4, 2024

Rahm also had a bad day, missing out on the Gold Medal. He still led his opponents by four strokes with seven holes left, but collapsed with bogeys at holes 11, 12 and 17, and a double-bogey at hole 14. The Spaniard did not even get a Bronze Medal, finishing tied for fifth with Rory McIlroy at -15.

The third place finisher was Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, the 2021 Masters champion. Host France's Victor Perez had an excellent day with a 63 but only finished 4th (-16).

Thus, the US is still the most successful country in Olympic golf with 6 Gold Medals in history (4 for men and 2 for women). They can increase their achievements when the 2024 Olympic women's golf starts today (August 5). The two biggest hopes of the US are Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu, also the two female golfers ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world rankings.