Scheffler edges out Fleetwood to Olympic gold after thrilling finale at Le Golf National

Scottie Scheffler produced a spectacular course record-equalling 62 at Le Golf National to emerge from a star-studded leaderboard and win gold at the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition.

On a thrilling final day in the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish as he surged to victory with a devastating back-nine 29 to underline his status as the World Number One.

Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain fell just short of emulating Rio 2016 gold medallist Justin Rose as a closing 66 saw him settle for silver, one shot behind at 18 under. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama rounded out the podium finishers with bronze, finishing a shot further back.

Victor Perez delighted the home French crowds with a brilliant final-round 63 to finish fourth, with Rory McIlroy representing Ireland and Spain’s Jon Rahm at 15 under.

Scheffler trailed overnight co-leaders Xander Schauffele – who was targeting back-to-back golds – and Rahm by four shots but showed his pedigree to follow up a fast start with an electric finish that included a run of four straight birdies from the 14th.

The victory is Scheffler’s seventh title of a remarkable season, that already included his second Major triumph and second Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament in April.

Fleetwood held a share of the lead with Scheffler on the 17th tee but a miscued chip shot from behind the green proved costly as he was unable to find a birdie at the last to force a play-off.

Matsuyama, who held a share of the halfway lead, lost ground on Saturday with a level-par 71 but he bounced back in style to close with a bogey-free 65 to win a medal in his second Olympics.

Earlier in the day, Rahm seemed on track to win gold for Spain as he opened up a four-shot lead around the turn but back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th thwarted his momentum. A double-bogey seven at the 14th further hurt his hopes before he missed out on the podium altogether with back-to-back bogeys on his final two holes.

His Ryder Cup team-mate McIlroy finished alongside him after a spirited closing 66, with a double-bogey at the 15th when he found water with his approach ultimately ending his chance of a medal.