By Gus Trompiz, Reuters
Photo: AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND
Two experienced golfers crying on the podium after tight gold medal victories and other moneyed players revelling in the excited crowds shows how the Paris Olympics earned kudos among the pros before they resume their tour lives.
New Zealand's Lydia Ko secured gold on Saturday in her final Games to go with her bronze in Tokyo and silver in Rio when golf returned to the Olympics after a century.
Like American Scottie Scheffler after his win in the men's tournament a week earlier, Ko let out her emotions as her national anthem played at Le Golf National south of Paris.
Gold medallist US' Scottie Scheffler on the podium, 4 August 2024. Photo: AFP
Playing for country rather than prize money and cheered on by the sort of raucous crowds unheard of in golf, except in the popular Ryder Cup team contest between Europe and the United States, the big-name players were enthralled.
"I think this is the biggest crowd I've played in front of and I think it has such a great atmosphere," Australia's Hannah Green said after narrowly missing out on a medal.
Golf officials are considering adding a mixed team event at Los Angeles 2028 to go with the current individual competitions, which could bring the sort of buzz surrounding the Ryder Cup and the corresponding women's contest, the Solheim Cup.
"With more of these (formats) being incorporated, I think it's going to become a goal and dream for many junior golfers growing up," Ko said of Olympic golf.
Lydia Ko celebrates with her medal. Photo: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU
For now, the players will turn back to their tour priorities, with the women preparing for the last major of the year, the British Open, later this month at St Andrews and the men focused on end of season prizes on the PGA circuit.
But in France golf organisers aim to leverage the Games, like they did the 2018 Ryder Cup also held at Le Golf National, to widen golf's appeal and develop the next Celine Boutier, who had thrilled home fans by taking the first-round lead.
"Even if France has nearly 500,000 licensees (club members), it's still perceived by the general public as an elitist sport," said Christophe Muniesa, director of the French golf federation.
"The possibility for us to showcase golf in its best way is really helpful."
- Reuters