Tommy Fleetwood collects ultimate hardware, settles for silver medal at 2024 Olympics
Fleetwood is a 2024 Olympic medalist as the Englishman won silver in Paris and finally got the reward in a massive tournament.
Tommy Fleetwood can officially call himself an Olympic medalist. The Englishman won silver in the men’s golf competition at Le Golf National on Sunday in the 2024 Olympics.
Fleetwood became the second member of Team Great Britain to earn hardware after Justin Rose won gold in the 2016 Rio Games.
He held the lead on and off most of the final day, but Scottie Scheffler came home in 29 strokes to shoot a 9-under 62. The No. 1 player in the world birdied holes 14-17 to win by one. Fleetwood signed for a 5-under 66.
“There’s part of me that’s disappointed, but at the same time, I never dreamt that I would be an Olympic Medalist,” Fleetwood said on Sunday.
Scheffler and Fleetwood were both at 19-under with two holes to go. However, a mistake off the tee on 17 forced Fleetwood to trail by one. He needed a birdie on 18 to push for a playoff, but his third shot was unsuccessful. Fleetwood still sank his five-footer for par to secure silver.
“I’m unbelievably proud and happy with the way the week went. I was proud of the way I played today,” he continued. “I take that away from it. I haven’t been in the mix that much recently. Being back there, playing well, and feeling how I felt again, I enjoyed it so much, and I’m unbelievably proud to be an Olympic Medalist. I never thought that would happen.”
On Sunday, the two-time Ryder Cup member played alongside Xander Schauffele and John Rahm in the final group.
Nerves were high as Fleetwood made a bogey on the first hole before he settled in and made three straight birdies.
He dropped back to 1-under on the day at the par-4 7th when he made a bogey.
However, Fleetwood bounced back with a 30-footer on eight and an 11-footer on 9 for back-to-back birdies. He turned in 33 strokes, and it was evident Fleetwood refused to give up.
Rahm led by four at the turn but quickly derailed on the back nine. Schauffele also collapsed on Sunday.
All week, the leaderboard looked like one from a major championship. The best players in the world challenged the leaders on Sunday, producing incredible golf to watch.
“I think the leaderboard was unbelievable,” Fleetwood said. “I just think it was a great spectacle for golf being out there and being part of that.”
“I said earlier in the week, if you’re not going to enjoy those times, you’re not going to get much happiness from the game of golf. I thought it was great and I enjoyed competing against the best players in the world for something that is so sought after and so cherished.”
The eight-time DP World Tour winner made incredible shots throughout the week despite being uncomfortable with his swing.
There was a buzz in the air as they came down the stretch. Fans chanted “Tommy-Tommy-Tommy” as they rooted for the Great British athlete.
“Just different. Again, I think the crowds are amazing, and it was a different atmosphere to what we get week-in, week-out in terms of the amount of fans that are supporting their nation out here,” Fleetwood said. “Just a different vibe. It was very, very enjoyable, it really, really was.”
He made three more birdies to tie for the lead with two holes left. The Southport, England native drove it left into the thick rough on the par-4 17th. His second shot went long, and he had a difficult chip shot to execute. It eventually led to his third and final bogey of the round.
There have been multiple times throughout Fleetwood’s career that saw him come up short on Sunday. Whether it was a major championship or a big PGA Tour event, he just has not gotten over the hump in the United States.
While he still received a nice check in many of those events, Fleetwood did not go home with any hardware. This time, though, he collected one of three prizes a competitor could win.
Scheffler may have stormed past him to take the gold, but Fleetwood still earned one of the three ultimate prizes— an Olympic medal. He will remember this moment forever, and it very well could help him stay confident through 72 holes in the future.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.