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As cliché as it sounds, “Go for the gold!” is the goal this week at the men’s Olympic Golf competition.
The Games in Le Golf National in France feature 60 players from 32 nations. What to expect, additional goals, and more are below for gold contenders.
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Matt Fitzpatrick
UK
The Brit reaches the quarterfinals in the Power Rankings because to his inspiring (but erratic) play in 2024 and his tendency to shine when the stakes are high. Six top 15s this year.
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Matthieu Pavon
FRANCE
A Frenchman was required in the Power Rankings! Victor Perez had a good year, but Pavon has been great since October. Home pressure is highest, yet serendipity prevails.
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Viktor Hovland
NORWAY
Despite a tough 2024, the 26-year-old Norwegian hits the bigger objectives at Le Golf National. He’s a top tee-to-green player who pays off with his putter. No sleeper, but you get the concept.
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Austria – Sepp Straka
The massive Austrian hits his longest clubs criminally well for a big guy. Leading the PGA TOUR in fairways hit and T45 in regulation greens. New concentration on good form has helped him thrive.
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Tom Kim, South Korea
The resilient South Korean went T15-MC in Scotland after nine straight starts, including a T4 at the RBC Canadian Open and a Travelers Championship runner-up. He placed T6 in FedEx Open de France last year.
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Alexander Noren, Sweden
at 2018, the FedEx Open de France champion went 2-1-0 at Ryder Cup. Although 42, the Swede has played 2024 like he’s in his prime. Precision on approach, exquisite touch around greens.
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• Corey Conners, Canada
Canada’s top player hasn’t missed a cut in 13 months. Plug-and-play ball-striking is his best. His last 16 starts have yielded 11 top 25s, including three top 10s in his last six. He’s a machine now.
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Tommy Fleetwood UK
This shouts medal for the British Englishman. He won this FedEx Open de France in 2017, went 4-1-0 at the Ryder Cup in 2018, and shows no sign of not challenging again.
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Shane Lowry
IRELAND
Irishman has had a lucky 2024, winning the Zurich Classic in New Orleans with Rory McIlroy and posting six top-10s, including in his last two starts. Opening Ceremony flagbearer.
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Ludvig Åberg
SWEDEN
Sports enthusiasts may not know that the 24-year-old Swedish golfer will be the Games’ breakout star. Nearly fatal within with smart and entertaining discourse outside. Not fazed.
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Jon Rahm, Spain
Returned from a foot injury to finish T7 at Royal Troon after a disappointing majors year. The Spaniard, who provided one point in the 2018 Ryder Cup win, is back in action.
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Collin Morikawa USA
Despite not winning another major this year, his T3-T4-T14-T16 series was second-best to two-time major champion and fellow American Xander Schauffele. Morikawa is fourth in FedExCup and adjusted scoring.
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Rory McIlroy
IRELAND
His podium appearance on Sunday is expected as Ireland’s representative outside Paris. The 35-year-old has three victories, two seconds, a third, and two T4s this year. Second in PGA TOUR Tee-to-Green Strokes Gained.
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Scottie Scheffler USA
If he didn’t bring the gold medal home, it would be a disappointment. He’s won six times this year despite many obstacles. There is one individual who deserves the recognition more…
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Xander Schauffele USA
It’s ludicrous that he’s in the crosshairs of converging trends for rare golf competitions. A week after winning his second major of the year, he earned gold for Team USA in Japan in 2021.
The Gallic rooster, France’s national symbol, might fly 12 miles southwest of the Eiffel Tower to Le Golf National. The par 71 course has three par 5s and maxes out at 7,174 yards.
Nearly 35 years old, Le Golf National. The FedEx Open de France has been held there all but two times since 1991. It tips at 7,247 yards for the DP World Tour, but Nos. 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are shorter for the Games.
The Europeans built out the course for the 2018 Ryder Cup to reward accuracy and reduce the impact of the long ball, which Americans are known for. It works. Europe won 17.5–10.5. All five Ryder Cup competitors in this week’s tournament are from the home continent: Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Jon Rahm (Spain), Tommy Fleetwood (Great Britain), Alex Noren (Sweden), and Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark).
The men’s Olympic golf is a 72-hole stroke-play event from Thursday to Sunday. No cut. There will be one gold, silver, and bronze medal, therefore playoffs will determine who wins. In 2021, C.T. Pan won bronze in Japan in a seven-man playoff. Pan is one of four athletes returning for his third Games. Others are Ryan Fox (New Zealand), Gavin Green (Malaysia), and Fabrizio Zanotti (Paraguay).
Weather should be good until late Thursday, when rain is expected. Daytime highs will be about 80 degrees with constant clouds. Wind isn’t expected.
The winner will receive exemptions into all four majors and THE PLAYERS Championship in 2025 in addition to the career-defining gold medal. PGA TOUR members are eligible for The Sentry. Official World Golf Ranking points will be awarded to all Le Golf National competitors, regardless of medalist status.
