Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood secured a silver medal in the men’s golf at the Paris Olympics behind American world No 1 Scottie Scheffler at Le Golf National.
Fleetwood fired a final-day 66 to fall one stroke short of Scheffler’s 19 under par total after the world No 1 had tied the course record of nine-under 62, with six birdies in his back-nine 29.
The 33-year-old from Southport was level with USA’s Scheffler with two to play, but a bogey on the 17th cost him dearly.
Despite that slip-up, Fleetwood said the achievement felt “unbelievably special”.
“There’s part of me that’s disappointed, of course, but at the same time I never dreamt I would be an Olympic medallist,” he said.
“I haven’t been in the mix that much recently and being back there, playing well and feeling how that felt again, I enjoyed it so much and I’m unbelievably proud to be an Olympic medallist.
“It feels unbelievably special and I know I didn’t win gold – a very good golfer did – but standing on that podium with a medal was one of the most amazing moments I’ve had as a golfer. I’ll remember those times for the rest of my life.”
Fleetwood fired a final-day 66 to finish one stroke short of Scottie Scheffler’s 19 under par total
Scheffler produced a sensational finish to add to the multiple titles he has won on the PGA Tour this year, and his second Masters title at Augusta in April.
Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, finished one shot behind Fleetwood to take bronze with France’s Victor Perez fourth after the home favourite had come home in 29.
The popular Fleetwood reacts to the crowd after securing silver for Team GB at Le Golf National
Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was tied fifth with Jon Rahm after finding his best form of the week.
McIlroy thrust himself into medal contention with five successive birdies on the back nine, but finished two shots behind Matsuyama after finding water at 15 and taking a double bogey six.
Rahm held a four-shot lead walking off the 10th green, but the Spaniard’s hopes unravelled with a disastrous back nine of 39.
“I not only feel like I let myself down but to just not get it done for the whole country of Spain, it’s a lot more painful than I would like it to be,” Rahm said.
Scheffler proudly displays his gold medal
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Alongside a rolling blog and round-ups on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app, Sky Sports News’ dedicated reporters on the scene will bring you updates as well as reaction from medal winners, pundits and more.
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