Xander Schauffele With Two Clutch Putts Gives U.S. Gold In Golf

KAWAGOE, Japan (AP) — Xander Schauffele won the Olympic gold medal in golf in a tense finish.

Schauffele was tied for the lead with Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia with two holes to play. The American made birdie from 6 feet on the 17th hole to regain the lead.

Then after a bad tee shot that forced him to play short of the water, he hit wedge to 4 feet and made the par to win.

Americans to win GOLD in men’s golf.

1900: Charles Sands
2020: @XSchauffele#TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSApic.twitter.com/uPYKNLS148

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 1, 2021

Sabbatini set an Olympic record with a 61 and won the silver.

Hideki Matsuyama missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole that would have secured him the bronze.

He was in seven-man playoff for the final medal. C.T. Pan of Taiwan won the bronze in a playoff that lasted four holes.