As the final round of the men's golf tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics approaches, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The final is set for Sunday, and the leaderboard is poised for an exciting conclusion, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars ready to take on the famed Le Golf National course.
Schauffele and Rahm Share the Lead
Xander Schauffele of the United States and Jon Rahm of Spain are currently tied for the lead. Both players have shown exceptional form throughout the tournament and will start their final round at 6:39 a.m. ET. They will be joined by Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain, who is also expected to make a strong push in the final round.
Schauffele and Rahm have been consistently impressive, with Schauffele bringing his exceptional driving and iron play, while Rahm has dazzled with his putting and short game. This showdown promises to be riveting as they battle not only each other but also the challenging layout of Le Golf National.
McIlroy and Matsuyama Among Early Starters
Rory McIlroy will tee off at 6:28 a.m., and the Northern Irishman will have his work cut out for him as he competes alongside Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark. McIlroy, an experienced player with multiple major titles, will look to leverage his experience to climb up the rankings.
With Matsuyama's calm and methodical approach and Højgaard's youthful exuberance, this group is bound to deliver some outstanding golf. The early start time might play to their advantage, with cooler temperatures and potentially less wind challenging their rounds.
Notable Groups to Watch
Scottie Scheffler, another strong contender, will start his round at 6:17 a.m. alongside Tom Kim and Thomas Detry. Scheffler's consistent play and ability to handle pressure situations will be crucial in his bid for Olympic glory.
Meanwhile, the first group of the day will tee off at 3 a.m., featuring Camilo Villegas and Matthieu Pavon. They will be followed closely by Mito Pereira, Phachara Khongwatmai, and Yechun Yuan at 3:11 a.m. These early groups will set the tone for the day as they navigate the dewy fairways and slick greens.
The 3:33 a.m. group featuring Kristoffer Ventura, Adrian Meronk, and Emiliano Grillo will aim to make early moves up the leaderboard. Players like Ventura and Meronk, who have been honing their skills on various tours around the world, will be looking to make a mark on the Olympic stage.
Chasing the Leaders
The mid-morning rounds are packed with talent. Ryan Fox, Collin Morikawa, and Carlos Ortiz will venture out at 5:06 a.m., followed by Stephan Jaeger, Wyndham Clark, and Shane Lowry at 5:17 a.m. Morikawa, a major champion, brings a refined skill set that could see him make a significant impact.
As the sun rises over Paris, Alejandro Tosti, C.T. Pan, and Matteo Manassero will begin their rounds at 5:33 a.m. Each brings a unique style of play, and their collective experience will add depth to the competition.
Erik van Rooyen, Byeong Hun An, and Corey Conners are set for a 5:44 a.m. tee time. Van Rooyen and Conners are known for their strategic play and precision, which will be tested at Le Golf National's demanding holes.
Rounding Out the Field
As the final groups take to the course, Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day, and Joaquin Niemann will start at 6:06 a.m. This trio combines youth and experience, with Day's veteran insights likely guiding the group through tricky situations.
The entire event is set against the spectacular backdrop of Le Golf National in Paris. Known for its challenging setup, the course is expected to provide a fitting conclusion to the tournament, pushing the athletes to deliver their best performances.
As the golfers make their bids for Olympic medals, fans around the world will be watching closely, eagerly awaiting who will emerge victorious on this grand stage. With such a competitive field and varying start times set to dictate the pace, the final day of the men's golf tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a thrilling spectacle.