Schaeffler put on a great partner show on its last day in the U.S.… Olympic Green accepted | Dong-A Ilbo

(Paris 2024)
He caught 6 birdies in the second half alone and won from behind.
8. Kim Joo Hyung: “I understand Son Heung Min’s tears”

Scotty Scheffler (28, USA), who ranks first in PGA Tour wins this season, has even entered the Olympics.

Scheffler, the world No. 1 in men’s golf, beat second-place Tommy Fleetwood (33, England) by one stroke in the Paris Olympic men’s golf competition that ended on the 5th at the National Golf Club (71) near Paris, France, with a score of 265, 19 strokes under par. Xander Chopley (31, England) of the American team won the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games championship and won the Olympic men’s golf championship for the second time in a row. Chopley tied for 9th place (12 strokes under par) in this competition.

Scheffler won a record six PGA Tour titles this season, including the Masters in April, and became the gold medal protagonist by turning the tables. Scheffler, who had been tied for sixth place until the third round, was four strokes behind the leading group including Scheffler, but made nine birdies and no bogeys in the fourth round. In particular, he made six birdies in the last nine holes and jumped to the lead, showing his determination. Scheffler finished the round in the lead at 19 under par, and only finished first after Fleetwood, who was tied for the lead in the last group, made bogey on the 17th hole (par 4).

Scheffler, who remained calm throughout the competition, shed tears when the American national anthem was played at the medal ceremony. He said: “I was very moved when watching the gold medal ceremony of the US women’s gymnastics team. It was very special for me to sing the national anthem while the flag was raised. This will become a memory that I will never forget.”

South Korean national team member Kim Joo-hyung (22) finished in 8th place (13 under par). This is the best result for a South Korean male athlete in the Olympics, surpassing An Byung-hun (33), who tied for 11th at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Kim Joo-hyung, who shed tears after the game, said, “I thought it would be a big help for Korean golf if I won the first medal in men’s golf at the Olympics. Therefore, I participated in the competition despite the pressure of representing the country.” He added, “I think I know why Son Heung-min (captain of the national football team) cried so much.” Son Heung-min is known as a “crybaby” because he often shed tears of regret after the South Korean team lost in the past World Cup and Olympics. An Byung-hun, who participated in his first Olympics in eight years, tied for 24th place (6 under par).

Reporter: Jung Yoon-chul trigger@donga.com