After Scottie Scheffler shot a four-under 67 in the third round on Saturday, the world No. 1 Scheffler pointed to Nicolai Hojgaard’s nine-under 62, a score that propelled the young Dane up the Olympic leaderboard and tied the course record.
“Nicolas played a really good round. [on Saturday]and I would need something like that [on Sunday] “If I were to win a medal,” Scheffler said, “it would be that.”
“Just looking forward to it [Sunday]; It’s off to a good start.”
Scheffler must have had a crystal ball, because he did just that.
He birdied his first three holes of the day, including a chip-in for two birdies on the par-3 second hole. It was clear early on that Scheffler has it all going for him, especially with his putter, as he ranked ninth among the field in putting strokes gained on Sunday. The flat stick, most notably at Royal Troon, has held Scheffler back on several occasions this season.
But that’s not the case on Sunday.
Scheffler recorded six more par-breakers in the second half: four in a row on the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th. It was clear he was preparing something special, especially when he missed his approach by inches on the par-4 15th. The reigning Masters champion kept his focus on the next hole, the short and dangerous par-3 16th. Scheffler hit his tee shot right over the flagstick for another birdie. Then, on the penultimate hole, the world No. 1 sank a 17-foot putt — a remarkable birdie considering he missed the left of the fairway and launched his second shot onto the green.
He outshot all other contenders to win the gold medal from the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama, similar to how he did earlier this season when he shot an 8-under 64 to win The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
But five months later, Scheffler once again proved why he’s No. 1 in the world, winning a gold medal along with the green jacket, The Players Trophy and four signature event titles.
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.
