Olympic gold for Scheffler, McIlroy just outside medals in fifth

Scottie Scheffler, of the United States, smiles as he shakes hands with Thomas Detry, of Belgium's caddie after completing his round on the 18th green during the final round of the men's golf at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

America's Scottie Scheffler took Olympic gold at Le Golf National, as Rory McIlroy's challenge faltered to a fifth-place finish, tied with Spain's Jon Rahm.

Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood secured silver with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama taking bronze.  

McIlroy finished five-under for the day and -15 overall. But after hitting five birdies in a row from the tenth to the 14th, a double bogey when he found water on the 15th ended his challenge for a medal. 

Ireland's Rory McIlroy on the 18th hole during the Men's Golf Individual Stroke Play Round 4 at Le Golf National on the ninth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire. 

Fleetwood fired a final-day 66 to fall one stroke short of Scheffler's 19 under par total.

The 33-year-old from Southport was level with USA's Scheffler with two to play, but a bogey on the 17th cost him dear.

Scheffler produced six birdies in his back-nine 29 to add to the multiple titles he has won on the PGA Tour this year, including his second Masters title at Augusta in April.

Rahm held a four-shot lead walking off the 10th green, but the Spaniard's hopes unravelled with a disastrous back nine of 39.

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