American golfer Scottie Scheffler has an impressive resume with two Masters championships, 42 Top-5 finishes, a No. 1 world ranking, and $70 million in career earnings. Until Sunday, though, he did not have an Olympic gold medal -- and tears during the medal ceremony revealed just how much this latest achievement meant to the 28-year-old.
Scheffler fired a 9-under-par 62 in the final round in France to edge the United Kingdom’s Tommy Fleetwood by one stroke for the gold medal with a four-round total of -19. Fleetwood (-18) captured the silver, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (-17) won the bronze.
During his country’s National Anthem, a visibly emotional Scheffler wiped tears from his eyes. A video of the moment went viral on social media.
Profound emotions for Scottie Scheffler hearing the Star-Spangled Banner after winning Olympic gold. 🥹🇺🇸
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 4, 2024
📺 Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/kgsOVOBZjD
Later, Scheffler explained his emotions.
“I would say first and foremost, I’m proud of the country that I’m from,” Scheffler told media members. “I’m proud to be an American. I [also] got emotional the other night watching the gold medal ceremony for the women’s gymnastics.”
Like Scheffler, the American women won gold in team gymnastics.
“I take tremendous pride in coming over here and representing my country,” he said. “...It was just very emotional being up there on stage there as the flag is raised, sitting there singing the national anthem. [It’s] definitely one I’ll remember for a long time.”
Asked about his family’s heritage, Scheffler said his mom’s side is Italian, and his father’s side is German.
“We’ve been over here for a few generations,” he said. “And I learned from a young age to take my hat off and hold my hand over my heart for the National Anthem. … My parents taught me from a young age what it would have meant to be an American and what it meant to be free, and I’m proud to be representing the country this week.”
“Scheffler Team USA 2024” 🥰#Paris2024 | @USAGolf pic.twitter.com/ZzVWWpllVg
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 4, 2024
In April, Scheffler went viral at the Masters when he said his Christian faith, not golf, defines who he is.
“I am a faithful guy. I believe in a Creator. I believe in Jesus,” Scheffler said in April. “Ultimately, I think that’s what defines me the most. Yeah, I feel like I’ve been given a platform to compete and show my talent. …I think that’s what defines me the most is my faith. I believe in one Creator, and I’ve been called to come out here [and] do my best to compete and glorify God. That’s pretty much it.”
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Olympic Golf
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.