Xander Schauffele hit one of the best wedge shots of his life to clinch Olympic gold on Sunday in Tokyo.
Clinging to a one-shot lead over clubhouse leader Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia, Schauffele fanned his drive well right and into the trees on the par-4 18th hole at Kasumigaseki Country Club. The mis-hit forced Schauffele to hack out of the rough to about 100 yards, putting a wedge in his hands and demanding Schauffele get up and down to avoid a playoff.
Schauffele delivered, his ball landing just past the hole before spinning back to about 2 feet.
WHAT. A .SHOT.@XSchauffele sticks it close on 18 - he'll putt for par and the gold medal 🥇#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/Zk51SBQU0C
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2021
He then calmly sank the putt to cap a closing 4-under 67, 18-under week and secure the Olympic gold medal.
From the dream of his father, to a gold-medal reality – @XSchauffele is an Olympic Champion. 🥇@TeamUSA // #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/S3vxzIrZNE
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2021
“Today was definitely my day,” Schauffele said, “and it was really fun.”