Schauffele Shines Again: A Strong Start at the Paris Olympic Golf Tournament
Xander Schauffele has once again proven why he’s a force to be reckoned with on the international golf stage. The defending Olympic gold medalist arrived in Paris with the momentum of a recent major victory, and he didn’t disappoint in his opening round of the Olympic Golf Tournament. Schauffele carded a 6-under-par 65, putting him just one stroke behind the first-round leader, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Coming off a streak of impressive performances—most notably his win at the PGA Championship and a strong showing at the U.S. Open and British Open—Schauffele’s game is firing on all cylinders. Yet, despite his solid start, the round didn’t unfold exactly as he had envisioned.
“The chip-in on 1 was pretty lucky,” Schauffele admitted, reflecting on a round that had its share of shaky moments. “I skanked an iron out to the right, then skanked another iron on (No. 2) way right to the pin, was able to get up-and-down, and pulled a drive on 3. So, it wasn’t sort of the dream, stripe-y start that you envision as a golfer. But I’m happy to sort of ride the ship in and get away with what could have been worse.”
Despite a less-than-perfect beginning, Schauffele quickly found his rhythm, finishing the front nine in just 31 strokes. His scorecard reflected seven birdies and a single bogey on the 17th hole, a blemish on an otherwise stellar round.
The atmosphere in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines was electric, a stark contrast to the more subdued setting of the Tokyo Olympics where Schauffele first claimed gold in 2021. The venue’s Ryder Cup-inspired design, with its undulating mounds and strategically placed water hazards, created a dramatic backdrop for the competition. The crowd, especially vocal in support of France’s Matthieu Pavon, added to the excitement, making the experience even more memorable for the players.
“I looked at the course and thought of the Ryder Cup,” Schauffele remarked, clearly impressed by the setup. “I was like, wow, what a venue, just the way everything sits and the way the course was designed with the moguls and mounds and everyone can kind of see. A lot of water everywhere. It’s kind of a scene, to be honest.”
Playing alongside Schauffele were two of the game’s brightest stars—Spain’s Jon Rahm, who shot a 67, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who finished with a 70. The trio will continue their grouping into the second round, providing fans with another opportunity to watch some of the world’s best golfers go head-to-head.
The crowd’s energy was palpable, especially as they rallied behind Pavon with chants of “Let’s go Blue.” Schauffele acknowledged the unique atmosphere, saying, “It felt different. You hear some ‘USA’ chants, and I think when I was on hole 2, it started to feel really different. When they were chanting Matthieu’s name while we were just out there and it was kind of echoing around the corner, it was like this is pretty special.”
Reflecting on his round, Schauffele was satisfied with how he managed to overcome a rough start and maintain his composure. “Kind of the best thing was sort of getting over my sort of clanky start,” he said. “I’d say just kind of riding the ship and using some old experience and calmness to get back on track and hit some better shots coming in. Other than that, it was just another day.”
As the tournament progresses, Schauffele will undoubtedly be one to watch, as he aims to defend his title and add another golden chapter to his already impressive Olympic legacy.