Schauffele Leads By One After 54 Holes at Tokyo Olympics
SAITAMA - Xander Schauffele of the USA leads hometown favorite Hideki Matsuyama after 54 holes in the men’s Olympic golf competition at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Schauffele followed his torrid second round (63) by shooting 35-33-(68) in R-3 with five scattered birdies along with a bogey on each side.
Japan’s Matsuyama made seven straight pars on the back nine Saturday before breaking the par-streak with a much-needed birdie on No. 17. He had bogeyed No. 1 but played well to stand one off the lead.
South Korea’s Sungjae Im had the best round of the day, shooting (63) and is T-17.
The English pair of Tommy Fleetwood (64) and Paul Casey (66) (competing as Great Britain) moved into contention Saturday. Casey stands at (-12) and is T-3 heading into Sunday’s final round while Fleetwood moved up 15 places and is (-10) and T-9.
“I was a massive fan of the Olympics as a kid growing up and loved watching it during the summers,” said Casey. “I never thought I would be sitting here as an athlete in the Olympic games until seeing golf's inclusion back in Rio and then Justin's (Rose) brilliant performance. I guess we got a lot to try and live up to. We're defending gold, technically, Team GB. I couldn't be more proud, and to be included in this great Team GB team. Yeah, it's honestly, even this week I feel kind of invigorated and I feel passion and pride to be wearing this shirt and to be competing and I couldn't think of anything greater than winning a gold medal as a golfer.”
First round leader Sepp Straka of Austria shot a (68) and remains in medal contention T-5 at (-11).
Olympic Leaderboard After 54 Holes (Partial Scores):
Xander Schauffele (USA) 68-63-68—199 (-14)
Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 69-64-67—200 (-13)
Paul Casey (Great Britain) 67-68-66—201 (-12)
Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) 65-67-69—201 (-12)
Full Leaderboard (link)
Men’s Golf at the Tokyo Olympic Games
COURSE: Kasumigaseki Country Club (East Course)
LOCATION: Saitama, Japan
SOCIAL MEDIA: #OlympicGames #Olympics @OlympicGolf #Tokyo2020
OFFICIAL SITE: International Golf Federation (link)
Olympic Golf Tournament Format
The Olympic golf competition consists of a 72-hole individual stroke play tournament for men’s and women’s events (four rounds scheduled over four consecutive days). Scores are cumulative from round to round. The players with the lowest aggregate scores will be awarded the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
How to Watch
TV COVERAGE: NBC Sports has exclusive US rights to the Tokyo Olympics. Since the Golf Channel is owned and operated by NBC, the sport of Olympic Golf will air on Golf Channel, live in the USA.
(Broadcast times converted to (EDT)
Saturday, July 31: 6:30pm (EDT) to Sunday 3:30am (EDT) - Golf Channel
Field, Tee Times
Field of Olympians: (link)
Tee Times: (link)
Tee Times are local, from 7:30am to 11:09am. Saitama, Japan is 13 hours ahead of (EDT).
What They’re Saying
Xander Schauffele Clings to One Shot Lead After 54 Holes (ESPN/Associated Press)
Golden Opportunities at the Olympics (Golf Digest)
Five Olympic Golf Storylines You Missed (Golf Week/USA Today)
Great Britain’s Casey & Fleetwood Having a Blast (Golf Week/USA Today)
Parting Putt:
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