In the world of golf, finishing fourth is often seen as a notable achievement. However, in the men's Olympic golf competition, it's all about securing a podium finish. Belgian golfer Thomas Detry is laser-focused on this goal as he competes in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Detry’s ambition was evident with his bogey-free, 8-under-par 63 on Friday, putting him in strong contention for a medal.
"You don't come to the Olympics to finish top 10," Detry remarked. “We play for a medal and for bringing our Belgian flag as high as possible. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”
Le Golf National, vibrant with the colors of 32 represented nations, witnessed a significant presence of Belgian supporters as Detry concluded his round. The atmosphere, as Detry described, is unmatched even by major tournaments. "Standing on the first tee Friday morning having so many people cheering your name, carrying the flag. It's very special," he said.
The Olympic golf competition is finding its place, with players like Detry expressing their excitement about the event’s growing popularity. “I think everybody has the same feeling in the Olympics in golf,” Detry noted. "It’s like the Ryder Cup. There are people everywhere. It’s incredible."
Detry’s recent PGA TOUR season has been commendable, with four top-10 finishes, including a T2 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and a T4 at the PGA Championship. Yet, an Olympic medal would be particularly meaningful for him and his home country of Belgium, which has only three medals so far in the Games.
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele is in pursuit of a consecutive Olympic gold, having taken an early clubhouse lead on the second day. Schauffele shot a five-under-par 66, putting him at 11 under, level with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. Despite a minor challenge involving an anthill, Schauffele maintained his composure and performance, keeping his score competitive.
The competition also saw Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood reaching 11 under par with an impressive round. However, not all golfers had a smooth day. Viktor Hovland, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, continued his challenging season. After a frustrating round, Hovland found himself outside the top 50 in a 60-player tournament.
Hovland’s year has been marked by struggles, contrasting sharply with his previous form. Despite a third-place finish at the PGA Championship, his performance in other tournaments has been lackluster, with multiple missed cuts. Reflecting on his game, Hovland admitted..
“I’m just playing poorly. The ball is not going where I want it to. And out here you’re going to be punished.”
Hovland’s ongoing search for consistency highlights the unpredictable nature of golf. Despite recent improvements with coach Joe Mayo, the results have been mixed. Hovland’s goal now is to regain his form as he prepares for the FedEx Cup playoffs, where his current standing puts his advancement in jeopardy.
As the Olympic golf competition progresses, the varied fortunes of Detry, Schauffele, and Hovland exemplify the highs and lows of the sport. For Detry and Schauffele, the focus remains on achieving Olympic glory, while Hovland looks to rebuild and find his game once more.
