Victor Perez leaves with no regrets as home star impresses on Olympics stage

By Mathieu Wood

So near, yet so far for Victor Perez. In a home Olympic Games, the Frenchman fell just shy of what would have been a dream medal – but he leaves Le Golf National with no regrets.

In a week that began with the honour of hitting the opening tee shot, Perez thrilled the home crowds over the course of the subsequent 72 holes, but particularly in Sunday’s final round as he threatened to force his way onto the podium.

An eagle at the par-five 14th – which was sandwiched on both sides by a pair of back-to-back birdies in a brilliant burst of scoring – helped build a fever-pitch atmosphere amid an already raucous atmosphere at the Albatros course.

After posting a 63 to reach 16 under, all Perez could do was wait and hope as the final groups finished their rounds. Shortly after, Scottie Scheffler set what proved to be the winning total of 19 under after a course record-equalling 62.

Behind the American were World Number One Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain in silver and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in bronze.

“It was obviously a great round,” reflected Perez, who finished fourth as back-to-back bogeys saw Spain’s Jon Rahm finish fifth alongside Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. “I don't think there's any shots that I could have picked up on that back nine for sure, even on the front nine. I think I played really well.”

While his performance ultimately didn’t translate into a medal, the memories Perez will take away with him from his Olympics debut will live with him forever.

“Obviously the amphitheatre at the end, 15, 16, the big crowd right of 18, I think that's what makes Le Golf National so special is coming down the stretch when the crowd is there,” he said.

“We saw it at the Ryder Cup even more where mounds were completely covered with people along with the grandstand, and even the people on the first were trying to look over to 18, which is quite a way away.

“The theatre at the end created a stadium-like atmosphere that we don't get to experience that often, which I think we all enjoy but we don't get often in golf.”

Shouldering the hopes of a nation alongside Matthieu Pavon, three-time DP World Tour winner Perez starred where his countryman struggled on his way to finish last of the 58 players to play all four rounds.

While Perez has won a Rolex Series title on the DP World Tour and celebrated success at the Home of Golf, this was an experience unlike any other he has faced.

Asked whether he was able to enjoy it, he replied: “I would say I was enjoying up until 14 and once you eagle 14, you're like, oh, s*, am I actually in this.”

As the birdies – and the eagle – came, the crowds grew bigger and bigger. Cries of “Victor, Victor” became louder and more frequent. From children to adults, Perez was being roared on with several national anthems sung loudly and proudly from the watching faithful.

One such rendition came as Perez and playing partners Thorbjørn Olesen and Christiaan Bezuidenhout arrived at the 17th green. Even Bezuidenhout was aware of what was going on, with the South African raising his arms to help raise the volume even further.

“I think I was lucky to play with Thorbjørn and Christiaan today, good friends that I've known since some years on tour and people that have really helped me along the way, kind of enjoying the experience, as well,” he said.

“So, yeah, it was great. I told them on the putting green before the round: ‘Just an FYI guys, it might get a little loud out there and the photographs might become more frequent.’ But they have dealt with it just great and were absolute gentlemen.”

Perez has played in all four Major Championships and competed around the world, but the week just gone will likely struggle to be topped for a while.

He has gained new fans, built a stronger connection with those he already had, but perhaps most significantly built a new layer of self-belief that will likely help take his game to new heights.