Schauffele highlights the differences between the Olympics and golf tournaments

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Xander Schauffele is competing in this year's Olympics and is in great form. The 30-year-old is considered one of the favorites for the gold medal. 

What Schauffele has shown in recent weeks and months gives his fans reason for optimism. Xander has impressed this year, showcasing his strengths and causing difficulties for everyone. Schauffele intends to maintain this strong performance.

After the third round, Schauffele is tied at the top with Jon Rahm, making it interesting to see how he performs. While some downplay the importance of an Olympic golf medal, many disagree with that view. 

In addition, since the arrival of LIV Golf, there has been a debate between fans of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, about which Tour has better golfers. This is precisely why tournaments like this bring rivalry, because in the final round, we will have the opportunity to watch golfers from both Tours. The arrival of LIV Golf on the scene has created a special rivalry and attention to golf. However, golf fans are not happy with the events of the last two years.

When golf became part of the Olympics in 2016, interest seemed limited, but things have changed over the past eight years. 

In an interview with the "Pardon My Take" podcast, Schauffele noted that his attitude towards the Olympics differs from that towards Majors, admitting that it is different for him.

“It’s pretty different. You’re essentially on a team.

I approach it the same way (as a Major) to be honest. It’s a 72-hole stroke play and there’s 60 guys and everyone is playing under their country and everyone wants to win."-Schauffele said, as quoted by MIRROR.

Xander Schauffele© Michael Reaves/Getty Images Sport  

The Olympics are unique in many ways. Given that golf fans haven't been particularly emotionally invested in the Olympics, due to golf's absence from the Games for years, many hope this trend will change, and it seems we are nearing that point. Listening to the statements of well-known golfers, it's clear how motivated they are to win a medal for their country and achieve success. 

Unlike usual golf tournaments, where only the champion is recognized, the Olympics award medals to the top three finishers. Schauffele discussed this in a podcast, highlighting one reason why the Olympics will generate special interest among golf fans. There are many contenders for the top three spots.

"I think the emphasis on second and third is a lot more than a normal tournament. You podium, versus if you don’t do well and you come in second or third or if you’re doing well and then you fail at the end, you feel (bad).

I think in the Olympics, everyone is fighting to finish in the top three more so than any tournament I’d say.”- he said.

Rory McIlroy and his views

Many share Schauffele's view, including Rory McIlroy, who represents Ireland in this year's Olympics. McIlroy, a golfer who attracts attention at every tournament, believes that winning an Olympic medal would be a massive achievement for him, especially since he has not won a Major in a decade. Fans of McIlroy have expressed hope that an Olympic victory could break his streak of bad luck and set him on the right path for future challenges.

"I haven't won one of the big four (majors) in 10 years. It would probably be one if, if not the biggest in my career for the last 10 years."-he said.

McIlroy admitted that playing in the Olympics has been fantastic, especially due to the enthusiastic audience. The fans in Paris seemed eager to watch golf, and many expressed their enjoyment of the sport being featured in the Olympics. Although Rory isn't sure how many people in Paris actually follow golf, he is pleased with how the fans cheered, followed, and supported the golfers with such enthusiasm. 

The Northern Irish golfer did not expect fans to be so open to and eager to follow golf. He recalled earlier editions of the Olympics when COVID disrupted attendance, and fans couldn't be present. The support from the crowd is something that golfers lack, and Rory, along with the other golfers, hopes that this kind of atmosphere will continue in the future.

At this moment it is difficult to predict who will emerge as the winner, but certainly exciting and interesting days await us, where we will find out who will emerge as the winner. The point of the Olympics is not to bring happiness to yourself as a golfer, but also to the entire nation. As we have already said, the medal will also be won by those who finish second and third, which certainly carries a special emotion.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/tXDnpJ2

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