The 2018 Ryder Cup venue once again has a Ryder Cup feel.
Spain’s Jon Rahm, who beat Tiger Woods in Sunday singles on this golf course in 2018, and Xander Schauffele, who helped the United States win the Ryder Cup in 2021, are tied for the lead at 14 under after 54 holes of the men’s Olympic golf competition in Paris.
Both players played well in the first three rounds and a large crowd was there cheering for everyone all week, creating an atmosphere similar to golf’s most famous team competition.
“It’s been a fun week. The reaction off the first tee was great,” Rahm said.
“The level has definitely risen. [compared] “We changed it to a normal event. It may have been a new event in golf, but this is the Olympics. I think the spectators know that and we all know what’s at stake.”
At stake are gold, silver and bronze medals – golf only returned to the Olympic Games in 2016, so the prizes are relatively new to the sport, but the Olympics have grown in importance over time.
“It has a big stage feel to it,” added Schauffele, who shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday.
“Unlike every tournament we play in, there’s prize money for the top three. Aside from the prize money, in a normal event, coming second or third doesn’t feel that great, but when you make it onto the podium it’s always a special feeling.”
Rahm, meanwhile, signed with a five-under 66, one week after winning his first career LIV Golf title and two weeks after finishing in the top 10 at the British Open.
“I’ve been playing well all year but just never really gave myself the best chances. Over the last month I’ve been playing as well as I have and I’m slowly getting better and I’m very, very happy with the win last week and giving myself a chance this week as well,” Rahm said.
“Things have been going well for me over the last month and after the win it’s nice to be in this position again so quickly.”
No European is playing better than Rahm, and no American is doing better than Schauffele right now.
But many others are in the mix, including Tommy Fleetwood, who is one stroke back at 13 under and in the final group with Rahm and Schauffele.
Behind them, Hideki Matsuyama and Nicolai Hojgaard are among the players heading into the final round at 11 under, while Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are four strokes back at 10 under.
But Rahm and Schauffele have the potential to make this final round historic and further boost the popularity of Olympic golf.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
