MAJOR PLAYERS SET FOR MEDAL SHOWDOWN – Golf News

Xander Schauffele is tied on the high of the leaderboard with Jon Rahm forward of the ultimate spherical of the Olympic males’s golf competitors because the American appears to be like to win back-to-back gold medals.

Shauffele arrived at his second look on the Video games on the again of profitable The Open Championship two weeks in the past and has continued his wonderful type at Le Golf Nationwide.

The Californian was a part of a three-way share of the midway lead at 11-under, however he shot a 3-under 68 that was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 14th to outperform enjoying companions Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama on Saturday.

Rahm, enjoying within the group forward, produced his second consecutive spherical of 66 that included a seventh birdie of the day on the seventeenth to additionally attain 14-under.

Fleetwood will be part of the major-winning duo within the ultimate group on Sunday after he blended three birdies with two bogeys to take a seat one stroke off the leaders.

FAN FAVOURITE FLEETWOOD STILL IN THE MEDAL HUNT

The Englishman loved robust assist from the French crowd, mining his reputation as member of the 2018 Ryder Cup profitable group in Paris.

“It’s positively a distinct crowd to what we’re used to,” he mentioned. “It’s an Olympic crowd and the environment has been wonderful. I all the time contemplate myself very fortunate with the assist and connections with those who I make however this has been nice. To be enjoying the Olympics, to be in competition and to have this assist; they’re stuff you dream of. In the event you don’t get pleasure from this then what’s the purpose?”

Fleetwood’s fellow Group GB member, Matt Fitzpatrick, faired much less effectively, slumping to a 3rd spherical 81, and subsequently pulling out of the event citing an injured thumb.

“I really feel for Fitz,” Fleetwood mentioned. “The Olympics is one thing that’s very particular. Pulling out for harm is an element and parcel for the game nevertheless it’s a horrible time for it to occur.”

Additional down the leaderboard, however nonetheless very a lot in competition, Nicolai Højgaard loved the spherical of the week as far as he matched the course file of 62 with a bogey-free whole that featured an eagle and 7 birdies.

That moved the Dane right into a share of fourth on the leaderboard alongside Japan’s Matsuyama, who misplaced floor in his pursuit of an Olympic medal with a level-par 71.

RORY MAKES HIS MOVE

World Nos.1 and three Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, respectively, are each poised to make a Sunday run as they performed their means into competition after contrasting rounds.

Whereas Scheffler blended six birdies and two bogeys in a spherical that fluctuated, McIlroy loved his first flawless rating of the week as he made 5 birdies for a 66.

Thomas Detry and Tom Kim additionally sit at 10-under – 4 again – after they carded a pair of 69s. Ludvig Åberg,  Jason Day and Joaquin Niemann spherical out the highest 10 a shot additional again and would require very low rounds on Sunday if they’re to make cost for the medals.

For the most recent leaderboard, click on here.