The 2024 Men’s Olympic Golf Preview & Picks

The 2024 Paris Olympics marks the third Games since golf was reintroduced in 2016.

Pre-Tournament Storylines

Winners Prize

Gold medalists will receive the following benefits: exemptions into all major championships during the 2025 season, an exemption into THE PLAYERS Championship and The Sentry in 2025 (provided they are a member of the PGA TOUR at the time of their victory in the men’s Olympic golf competition), and Official World Golf Ranking points.

Xander Schauffele

Defending gold medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Xander Schauffele, arrives in Paris as the No. 2 player in the Official World Golf Ranking. He recently claimed his second major championship title of the year at The Open Championship at Royal Troon two weeks ago, adding to his victory at the 2024 PGA Championship.

French National Team

Frenchman Mattieu Pavon will compete in his first Olympics on home soil after a career-changing season on the PGA TOUR, during which he claimed his first TOUR title at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. His debut performance at Le Golf National came in 2016 at the FedEx Open de France (MC). Fellow Frenchman Victor Perez will also be making his Olympic debut this year after earning PGA TOUR membership for the 2024 season.

Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy Fleetwood (GBR) has won at Le Golf National twice, once in the 2018 Ryder Cup team competition and again at the 2017 FedEx Open de France.

Byeong Hun An

Byeong Hun An (KOR) comes from a family of Olympians. His parents, Jae-Hyung Ahn (KOR – bronze) and Jiao Zhimin (CHN – silver and bronze), both medaled in table tennis at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

2018 Ryder Cup

The last time we saw Le Golf National on an international level was at the 2018 Ryder Cup when Europe defeated the United States 17 1/2 to 10 1/2. Five former Ryder Cup participants from the 2018 Ryder Cup winning European Team (Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Alex Noren and Thorbjørn Olesen) will compete again at Le Golf National.

Possible Playoff

If two athletes are tied for the lead after 72 holes, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted to determine the gold and silver medals, or if three or more athletes are tied for the first position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the gold, silver and bronze medals. If two or more athletes are tied for the second position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the silver and bronze medals. If two or more athletes are tied for the third position, a playoff will be conducted for the bronze medal. In any case, only one gold, one silver and one bronze medal will be awarded.

Tournament Information:

• Dates: August 1st, 2024 – August 4th, 2024
• Location: Guyancourt, Paris, France
• Course: Le Golf National (Albatros Course)
• Course Type: Coastal Links
• Par: 71 (4x 3’s / 11x 4’s / 3x 5’s)
• Length: 7,174 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Poa / creeping bentgrass .118-197”
• Fairways: Ryegrass / fescue .394”
• Rough: Ryegrass / fescue 2.5″
• Bunkers: 51
• Water Hazard(s): – (In-Play on 10 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 6,458 to 8,611 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 12.0-13.0 ft.
• Field: 60 Players
• Cut: No Cut
• Playoff Format: 18-16-17 (repeat); 17-18-16 if bronze playoff

Social Media:

• Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf)

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Hubert Chesneau and Robert von Hagge (1990)
• Recent Renovations:
  • European Golf Design (2015) Renovation included remodeling of No. 1 and No. 16 greens, redesign of No. 11 and work on lake edging on holes No. 1, 2, 15, 16 and 18.
  • The course will close in October to modify holes No. 4 and No. 5 to make room for an upcoming metro line.

Comparable Courses & Greens:

• Comparable Courses:
  • Harbor Town Golf Links – RBC Heritage – RESULTS
  • TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – THE PLAYERS Championship – RESULTS
  • Sedgefield Country Club – Wyndham Championship – RESULTS

• Comparable Yardage (7,174 Yards):
  • PGA WEST (Nicklaus Tournament Course) – 7,147 Yards – The American Express
  • PGA WEST (Pete Dye Stadium Course) – 7,158 Yards – The American Express
  • Harbour Town Golf Links – 7,191 Yards – RBC Heritage
  • Colonial Country Club – 7,209 Yards – Charles Schwab Challenge

• Comparable Greens (Poa / creeping bentgrass .118-197”):
  • TPC River Highlands – Bentgrass / Poa annua .115” – Travelers Championship
  • Detroit Golf Club – Bentgrass / Poa annua .100” – Rocket Mortgage Classic
  • Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood) – Bentgrass / Poa annua .100” – Barracuda Championship

TV Information (all times ET):

• Round 1: Thursday, August 1st, 2024
  • Golf Channel, Peacock – 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Round 2: August 2nd, 2024
  • Golf Channel, Peacock – 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
  • Golf Channel, Peacock – 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, August 4th, 2024
  • Golf Channel, Peacock – 3:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Weather:

Course/ Tournament History:

Le Golf National, situated in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines near Paris, France, is one of Europe’s most prestigious golf venues. Conceived in the 1980s, the course was designed by American architect Robert von Hagge along with Hubert Chesneau and Pierre Thevenin. Construction commenced in 1987, culminating in its official opening in 1990. The French Golf Federation (FFG) envisioned this facility as a flagship venue to promote and host major golfing events in France.

The complex features three courses: L’Albatros, L’Aigle, and L’Oiselet. L’Albatros, the championship course, is renowned for its challenging layout and numerous water hazards, making it a favorite among professional golfers. L’Aigle offers a slightly less demanding but still formidable experience, while L’Oiselet is a nine-hole course designed for beginners and practice sessions.

Le Golf National has been the home of the French Open (Open de France), a prominent European Tour event, since 1991, with a few exceptions. Its international acclaim was further solidified when it hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018, where Europe triumphed over the United States in a memorable competition. The course is also set to host the golf events for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, further cementing its status on the global stage.

To maintain its top-tier status, Le Golf National has undergone several renovations, particularly before the 2018 Ryder Cup, ensuring it meets the highest standards for international competition. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s best courses, it is known for its strategic design, challenging water features, and excellent facilities. Le Golf National continues to be a central hub for both French and international golf, hosting major tournaments and attracting golfers from around the world.

Golf’s history at the Olympics is a tale of early inclusion, a long absence, and a modern revival. The sport made its Olympic debut at the 1900 Paris Games, featuring both men’s and women’s individual competitions. Charles Sands and Margaret Abbott, both from the United States, won the first Olympic gold medals in golf. In 1904, golf was included again in the St. Louis Olympics, with George Lyon of Canada winning the men’s individual event and the United States securing the team gold.

After the 1904 Olympics, golf was removed from the Olympic program, a decision influenced by the sport’s limited global reach and organizational challenges. This hiatus lasted for over a century, during which the sport grew significantly in popularity and international presence. Efforts to reinstate golf in the Olympics gained traction in the early 21st century, culminating in the International Olympic Committee’s decision in 2009 to reintroduce the sport at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The 2016 Rio Olympics marked golf’s return to the Olympic stage, with Justin Rose of Great Britain and Inbee Park of South Korea winning the gold medals in the men’s and women’s events, respectively. The competition’s success underscored golf’s global appeal and set the stage for its inclusion in future Games. Golf was again featured in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Xander Schauffele of the United States won the men’s gold medal, and Nelly Korda, also from the United States, claimed the women’s gold.

Course Guide/ Scorecard:

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 15-16, 18

For a hole-by-hole overview of the course, you can click the following link.

Key Statistics:

• Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
  • Success this week will hinge on players’ ability to position themselves effectively off the tee. While the course’s considerable length underscores the significance of distance, precision holds equal importance.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Viktor Hovland
    • Ludvig Aberg
    • Alejandro Tosti
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Joaquin Niemann
    • Tom Kim
    • Xander Schauffele

• Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Having a strong iron game will be important this week if players want to succeed on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Kevin Yu
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Corey Conners
    • Matteo Manassero
    • Mito Pereira
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Sepp Straka
    • Ludvig Aberg

• Strokes Gained: Around the Green
  • Players will undoubtedly miss greens this week so they’ll need to rely on their short game.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Rory McIlroy
    • C.T. Pan
    • Nick Taylor
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
    • Alex Noren
    • Corey Conners
    • Thorbjorn Olesen
    • Fabrizio Zanotti

• Strokes Gained: Putting (Poa/ Bentgrass)
  • The Greens on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National are Poa / creeping bentgrass .118-197”.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Wyndham Clark
    • Matthew Fitzpatrick
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Jason Day
    • Victor Perez
    • David Puig
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Kristoffer Ventura
    • Viktor Hovland

• Par 3 Scoring: 150-175 Yards (x2) / 200-225 Yards (x2)
  • Two of the four Par 3’s on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National range between 150-175 Yards. The other two Par 3’s range between 200-225 Yards.
  • Leaders in Par 3 Scoring: 150-175 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Corey Conners
    • Wyndham Clark
    • Kiradech Aphibarnrat
    • Erik Van Rooyen
    • C.T. Pan
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Matteo Manassero

• Leaders in Par 3 Scoring: 200-225 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
  • Byeong Hun An
  • Sepp Straka
  • Kevin Yu
  • Wyndham Clark
  • Guido Migliozzi
  • Fabrizio Zanotti
  • Xander Schauffele
  • Tom Kim
  • David Puig
  • Scottie Scheffler

• Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards (x5)
  • Five of the eleven Par 4’s on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National range between 400-450 Yards.
  • Leaders in Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Kevin Yu
    • Mito Pereira
    • Sepp Straka
    • Corey Conners
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Alex Noren
    • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
    • Rory McIlroy

• Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards (x3)
  • All three Par 5’s on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National range between 550-600 Yards.
  • Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Jason Day
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Corey Conners
    • Joaquin Niemann
    • Daniel Hillier
    • Zecheng Dou
    • Thomas Detry
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Phachara Khongwatmai
    • Kevin Yu

• Bogey Avoidance
• Patience will be key this week as players navigate the layout and capitalize on limited scoring chances. Throughout the event, players must strive to minimize any black numbers scores on their cards.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Shane Lowry
    • Guido Migliozzi
    • Nicolai Hojgaard
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Mito Pereira
    • Ludvig Aberg

• Scrambling Gained
  • A player’s ability to recover and save par after missing the green in regulation will be crucial this week. The ability to recover from these situations and save par can make the difference between maintaining a competitive score and falling behind. High scrambling percentages contribute directly to lower scores.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Guido Migliozzi
    • Thorbjorn Olesen
    • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
    • Alex Noren
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Tommy Fleetwood
    • Nick Taylor

The Field:

This year’s Olympics will feature a total of 60 competitors.

Here is the current basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

The top-15 world-ranked athletes are eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four athletes from a given country. Beyond the top-15, athletes are eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible athletes from each country that does not already have two or more athletes among the top-15. The host country is guaranteed a spot, as is each of the five continents of the Olympics.

• Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
  • Xander Schauffele (2020 – Tokyo)

• Debutants in the Field (Event – Olympics):
  • Adrien Dumont De Chassart, Alejandro Tosti, Camilo Villegas, Daniel Hillier, David Puig, Erik van Rooyen, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Jason Day, Joel Girrbach, Jon Rahm, Keita Nakajima, Kevin Yu, Kris Ventura, Ludvig Aberg, Zecheng Dou, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Matthias Schmid, Matthieu Pavon, Min Woo Lee, Nick Taylor, Nicolai Hojgaard, Nicolas Echavarria, Phachara Khongwatmai, Scottie Scheffler, Shubhankar Sharma, Stephan Jaeger, Tapio Pulkkanen, Tom Kim, Victor Perez, Wyndham Clark

• Players with ties to France in the Field:
  • Birthplace:
    • Matthieu Pavon – Toulouse, France
    • Victor Perez – Semeac, France

• Notable Withdraws/ Changes:
  • N/A

The Odds:

Here are the current favorites for this week’s event, along with a summary of their recent form and Olympic history:

Scottie Scheffler (+360): Making his Olympics debut this week, Scheffler has won six of his last eleven events and is coming off a T7 finish at The Open Championship.

Xander Schauffele (+550): The Gold Medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, Schauffele recently secured his second Major Championship victory of the season at Royal Troon.

Rory McIlroy (+850): McIlroy finished T4 at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He has won twice on the PGA Tour this season but is coming off a missed cut at The Open Championship in his most recent start.

Jon Rahm (+1000): Rahm is making his Olympics debut this week. He won his first LIV Tour event last week at LIV United Kingdom and finished T7 at The Open Championship at Royal Troon prior to that.

Collin Morikawa (+1100): Morikawa, who finished T4 at the 2020 Summer Olympics, hasn’t secured a win on the PGA Tour this season but has finished inside the top 20 in ten of his last eleven starts.

Tournament Props:

Playoff:

• Will There Be a Playoff at the Olympics? (Yes +350 / No -500)

At the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics, there was no playoff to decide the winner.

Hole-in-One:

• Will There Be A Hole-in-One at the Open Championship? (Yes +200 / No -310)

At the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janero, there were two holes in one recorded. Justin Rose of Great Britian hit one on 4th hole and Jaco van Zyl of South Africa hit one on the 8th hole.

At the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, there were no recorded holes in one.

Recent Horses for Courses (Open de France – Le Golf National):

Recent Horses for Courses (Olympics):

Recent Donkeys for Courses (Open de France – Le Golf National):

Recent Donkeys for Courses (Olympics):

Previous Olympic Winners and Prices:

• 2020: Xander Schauffele – Tokyo
  • Price: 9-1

• 2016: Justin Rose – Rio de Janeiro
  • Price: 12-1

Previous Olympic Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):

• 2020: Xander Schauffele
  • T26 – The Open Championship (MAJ)
  • T10 – abrdn Scottish Open (DPWT)
  • T7 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
  • T11 – the Memorial Tournament (PGA)
  • MC – PGA Championship (MAJ)

• 2016: Justin Rose
  • T22 – PGA Championship (MAJ)
  • T22 – The Open Championship (MAJ)
  • T46 – WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (PGA)
  • MC – U.S. Open (MAJ)
  • T19 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)

Picks:

Outrights:

• Tommy Fleetwood (+2200) – FanDuel
  • Risk 0.37 to win 8.14 Units

• Tom Kim (+3000) – BetMGM
  • Risk 0.27 to win 8.10 Units

• Alex Noren (+3300) – BetMGM
  • Risk 0.25 to win 8.25 Units

• Corey Conners (+3500) – BetMGM
  • Risk 0.23 to win 8.05 Units

Total Risk on Outrights: 1.12 Units

Top 10 (Including Ties):

• Shane Lowry (+160) – DraftKings
  • Risk 1.00 to win 1.60 Units

• Thomas Detry (+280) – DraftKings
  • Risk 0.50 to win 1.40 Units

• Guido Migliozzi (+400) – DraftKings
  • Risk 0.50 to win 2.00 Units

Total Risk on Top 10s: 2.00 Units

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Total Risk on the Olympics: 3.12 Units 

Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.