The Paris Olympic men’s golf competition on day two saw golfers consistently aiming at the bunkers that protect the right side of the fairway on the 18th hole, with deep rough lurking farther right. Despite this, three golfers sit even at 11-under par after 36 holes, with nine others within five strokes of the lead. Golfers like Scheffler, Kim, Niemann, and C.T. Pan are within striking distance, with scores of 63 and 64 posted for the second 18 holes. The tournament promises a dramatic conclusion on Sunday at Le Golf National.
One standout player from day two was Tapio Pulkkanen, who had a rollercoaster round ending in the deep rough after a series of birdies through the first 15 holes. Despite a rough finish on the 18th, Pulkkanen displayed the ups and downs that make golf and the Olympics a thrilling combination. Another contender, Jon Rahm from Barrika, Spain, moved up the leaderboard with six birdies and minimal mistakes, putting him in fourth position going into the weekend.
Xander Schauffele, a U.S.-born golfer with international roots, impressed on day two with seven birdies to reach 11-under par. Following in his father’s footsteps, Schauffele has found success in the sport, echoing the father-son dynamic of golfing legends like Earl and Tiger Woods. Another fan favorite, Tommy Fleetwood, played flawless golf until the final hole where a pitch out cost him a shot. Despite not feeling entirely comfortable with his swing, Fleetwood remains in contention.
Hideki Matsuyama, a Japanese champion, had a mixed round with multiple birdies and bogeys, ultimately finding trouble on the 18th hole where he made a remarkable double-bogey. Matsuyama’s ability to recover and sink a crucial putt highlights the challenges and triumphs of golf at the Olympic level. As the tournament heads into the weekend, several players are poised to make a run for the gold medal, setting the stage for an exciting finish at Le Golf National in Paris.