The 2024 Olympics are underway and on Thursday the men’s golf competition tees off at Le Golf National in Paris, the host venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup (Europe beat the United States, 17.5-10.5).
There are dozens of superstars representing their countries including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA), Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Jon Rahm (Spain), Ludvig Aberg (Sweden) and Tommy Fleetwood (England).
Scheffler, unsurprisingly, is the betting favorite to win at +360. The Texan has six wins in his last 11 starts, a stretch that includes the Players Championship, the Masters and the Memorial Tournament. He most recently tied for seventh at The Open. Schauffele, the Champion Golfer of the Year, is next on the odds list at +550.
Olympics: USA Today’s 2024 Olympics hub | Thursday tee times | How to watch | Full men’s field | Full women’s field
Golf course
Le Golf National | Par 71 | 7,174 yards
Course history
Betting odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | +360 | Tom Kim | +2500 |
| Xander Schauffele | +550 | Alex Noren | +2800 |
| Rory McIlroy | +750 | Corey Conners | +3000 |
| Jon Rahm | +1000 | Hideki Matsuyama | +3500 |
| Collin Morikawa | +1100 | Min Woo Lee | +4000 |
| Ludvig Aberg | +1200 | Sepp Straka | +4500 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +2000 | Matt Fitzpatrick | +4500 |
| Shane Lowry | +2200 | Thomas Detry | +5000 |
| Joaquin Niemann | +2200 | Jason Day | +5000 |
| Viktor Hovland | +2500 | Byeong Hun An | +5000 |
Picks to win
Rory McIlroy of Team Ireland tees off on the fourth hole during a practice round ahead of the Men’s Individual Stroke Play on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
McIlroy, who played the Old Course in preparation for this week, hasn’t won a major championship since 2014, but he’s pretty much won everything else in that span. Three FedEx Cup titles, the Players Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and two Ryder Cups, just to name a few.
A gold medal would look awfully good on his resume.
Before his missed cut at The Open, McIlroy finished T-15 or better in seven straight starts. He’ll have to dial it down off the tee around this track but if his putter heats up, he’ll be in the mix. Four years ago, McIlroy was in the playoff for the bronze medal.
Plus, no-hat Rory is a problem.
Tommy Fleetwood of Team Great Britain (R) poses with his caddie, Ian Finnis, and the Olympic rings on the 18th hole during a practice round ahead of the Men’s Individual Stroke Play on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
The Englishman struggled at The Open and went home after just two rounds. However, he’s grabbed three top-20 finishes in his last five starts and returns to a golf course he’s excelled at in the past.
Seven years ago, Fleetwood won the Open de France at Le Golf National. Then, a year later, Fleetwood went 4-0 alongside Francesco Molinari at the 2018 Ryder Cup.
This golf course prioritizes accuracy over distance off the tee and Fleetwood is eighth this season in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour.
Tom Kim of Team Democratic People’s Republic of Korea interacts with his caddie, Paul Tesori during a practice round ahead of the Men’s Individual Stroke Play on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
After tying for 15th at the Scottish Open, Kim missed the cut at The Open. However, this course should fit Kim’s skillset nicely.
He’s going to hit a bunch of fairways and greens, so it’ll come down to how well he putts.
In 2023, Kim tied for sixth at the Open de France.
Alex Noren of Sweden looks across the driving range ahead of Pro-Am prior to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 09, 2024 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Noren has a lot of experience at this track. Here are his finishes at the Open de France since 2015: T-18 (2019), 1st (2018), T-10 (2017) and 8th (2016).
After missing back-to-back cuts at the U.S. Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic, the Swede finished T-10 at the Genesis Scottish Open and T-13 at The Open.
Corey Conners of Team Canada tees off on the sixth hole during a practice round ahead of the Men’s Individual Stroke Play on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Canadian hasn’t missed a cut on the PGA Tour this season (20 starts) and has finished inside the top 30 in nine straight starts.
At a golf course that demands accuracy, Conners is 34th in driving accuracy and 11th in greens in regulation.
If the putter cooperates, watch out for Conners.
