An Insane Scottie Run For Gold, Big Name Collapses, Heartbreak - Olympic Golf Was Easily The Best Tournament Of The Year
This is what we needed for Olympics golf. We needed a leaderboard with all the big names, we needed the drama and storylines and it unfolded perfectly. Rahm up big early only to collapse and not even get a medal.
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Victor Perez, the hometown hero, firing a 29 on the back and putting himself in contention for a medal
Xander having a brutal round. Thomas Detry having a brutal start and playing himself out. Hideki missing some shots late that cost him. Rory looking like he was going to make a run at gold, at least finish on the podium and then collapsed late.
Then there was Tommy vs Scottie. I know I shouldn't be shocked at what Scottie can do, but a 29 on the back 9 in the final round and chasing down some of the biggest names in the sport? It's Scottie's sport now. There was a legit argument to be made if Xander won the Olympics on who had the better year, that's over and done with. We even got emotion out of Scottie!
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Ultimately it came down to 17 and 18. Scottie drilling that birdie putt on 17, saving par on 18 put all the pressure on Tommy. He went long on 17, having to chip out of the rough and missed a long par putt, barely. Then on 18 he had no choice. Good drive, but had to attack the flag and sailed it long again. That was the win for Scottie.
All I know is that was the best tournament of the year. Don't get me wrong, we had good ones, especially in the majors. But this was all the big names, guys flying up the leaderboard only to collapse a bit. And of course Scottie being Scottie. No concern, just went out and won gold.
So there you have it. Scottie gold, Tommy silver and Hideki bronze. One hell of an event.
Quick sidenote - I feel terrible for Tom Kim. He needed a top-3 finish to avoid the mandatory military service in South Korea. He was right there and ended up hitting into the water on 18 and making a double to finish. One of the most likable players in golf and you could see him crying in the clubhouse while signing his scorecard.