golf

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics are set to feature a highly anticipated golf tournament from August 1st to 4th at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France.

This event promises to be one of the highlights of the Olympics, bringing together 60 of the world’s top golfers, including 15 of the highest-ranked male players globally, with a limit of four players per nation.

History of Golf at the Olympics

Golf made its Olympic debut at the 1900 Paris Games, where men and women competed in separate events.

After another appearance in 1904, the sport was removed from the Olympic program, only to make a dramatic return at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.  This reintroduction has reinvigorated interest in golf on the world stage, adding another layer of prestige to the Olympic Games.

Favorites for Gold

Scottie Scheffler (+400)

Scottie Scheffler, the 27-year-old American, is the favorite to win gold at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics according to American sportsbooks.

Scheffler has dominated the PGA Tour in 2024 with six victories in ten entries and an impressive streak of 11 consecutive top-10 finishes.

This feat matches the legendary Tiger Woods‘ record from the 2007-08 season. His recent win at the Travelers Championship solidified his position, making him the fastest player to achieve six wins in a season since Arnold Palmer in 1962.

Here’s how Scheffler fared and what he earned in the ’24 signature events:

EVENT FINISH EARNINGS
The Sentry T-5 $690,500
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am T-6 $642,500
Genesis Invitational T-10 $455,000
Arnold Palmer Invitational Win $4,000,000
RBC Heritage Win $3,600,000
Wells Fargo Championship DNP
Memorial Tournament Win $4,000,000
Travelers Championship Win $3,600,000

Other Top Contenders

Xander Schauffele (+900)

Xander Schauffele, the gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is a strong contender for the top spot once again. Schauffele’s recent victory at the 2024 PGA Championship has him in excellent form heading into the Paris games.

Rory McIlroy (+900)

Irishman Rory McIlroy, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in Tokyo, is eager for redemption. He is looking to rebound after a tough runner-up finish at the US Open, where he lost a two-shot lead in the last five holes.

Ludvig Aberg (+1200)

Ludvig Aberg, a rising star in the golf world, finished second at the 2024 Masters and led the U.S. Open after 36 holes. At just 24 years old, the Swedish player is poised to make a significant impact at the Olympics.

Notable Players to Watch

Viktor Hovland (+1600)

Viktor Hovland is considered one of the best golfers without a major title. He has four top-10 finishes in majors over the past three years, including a third-place finish at this year’s PGA Championship.

Hideki Matsuyama (+2000)

Hideki Matsuyama, a former Masters champion and nine-time PGA TOUR winner, represents Japan’s best hope for a medal in golf.

Jon Rahm (+2000)

Jon Rahm, despite a challenging year in majors, remains a formidable competitor. The Spanish golfer has previously won the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters.

Tommy Fleetwood (+2800)

Tommy Fleetwood, the winner of the European Tour’s Open de France at Le Golf National in 2017, is another strong contender for a medal.

Odds for Top Players

Player Odds
Scottie Scheffler +400
Xander Schauffele +900
Collin Morikawa +1200
Wyndham Clark +3300

Team USA

Team USA boasts a strong lineup, including:

  • Scottie Scheffler: The favorite to win gold.
  • Xander Schauffele: The reigning Olympic champion.
  • Collin Morikawa: Two-time major champion.
  • Wyndham Clark: 2023 U.S. Open winner.

With such a competitive field and the stakes as high as ever, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics golf tournament is set to be a thrilling event for fans and participants alike.

Ben Perks
Writer

Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.