Read more: World No. 1 Gets Emotional at Olympics: Scottie Scheffler Bawls During Gold Medal Ceremony
Scottie Scheffler made a dramatic comeback to win the Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. And the question is, will his caddie, as well as those of Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuayama, who won Silver and Bronze, get an Olympic medal?
Caddies play an important role for golfers. They not only carry the bag, but also give advice, helping golfers make the right decisions. However, at the Olympics, if a golfer steps up to the podium to receive a medal, their caddie will not get anything. That means at Le Golf National on Sunday (August 4), those who assisted Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuayama throughout the journey will not receive a medal with a hexagonal coin made from a piece of the Eiffel Tower.
Scottie Scheffler and his caddie, Ted Scott/ Getty
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, there will be 5,084 medals awarded to athletes participating in 329 events in 32 sports, and there is no rule that caddies will receive medals despite their significant influence on golfers' achievements.
However, golfers never forget their contributions. After winning the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, American Xander Schauffele wanted to give Austin Kaiser, his caddie, an item to show his gratitude and as a souvenir. So he sent Kaiser a gold ring with the American flag above the Olympic rings.
"They knew it meant a lot to me, too," Kaiser said after the opening round of the 2024 Games.“I didn’t get my own medal and they wanted to do something special for me.” Kaiser also said he was deeply touched by the act of kindness from the golfer who won the PGA Championship and The Open in the middle of 2024.
Kaiser is back with Schauffele for Olympic titles/ Getty
It's a shame that Schauffele couldn't defend his Gold Medal, finishing in a tie for ninth place with -10 at Le Golf National. So Kaiser won't get a second ring. But caddie Ted Scott can hope for a reward from Scheffler, the 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist.
In addition, the US Olympic Committee has had a rule since 2009 about the "Ikkos Medal", created to be awarded to coaches or members of Olympic medal-winning teams. Each team will have an "Ikkos Medal" and with Scheffler If Detry wins Gold, he will have an "Ikkos Medal" for himself.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, American golfer Matt Kuchar won the Bronze Medal. Immediately after, Kuchar made caddie John Wood cry when he put the "Ikkos Medal" around his neck, recognizing his assistant's great contribution during the 4-day journey.
