While Erik van Rooyen was ‘bummed’ by a couple of mistakes on Sunday, he relished his first Olympic experience in Paris and, with his 17th place finish, said he was eagerly awaiting the 2028 Games set for Los Angeles.
Van Rooyen had no sooner corrected things from his early bogey on the second hole with three birdies in the next four holes when made a double on the seventh after having to hack his tee shot just 65 yards out of some heavy rough on the left. Birdies on the ninth and the 14th rectified that mistake, but then he hit his approach on 15 into the water and made another double-bogey. He picked up one more birdie on the 16th for a closing one-under 70.
At nine-under, he was one behind his compatriot Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who had a closing two-under 69 with three birdies and a bogey as he finished in 16th.
He was also 10 strokes behind the gold medallist, Scottie Scheffler who had a stellar closing nine-under 62 to snatch the victory from Tommy Fleetwood by one stroke after he closed with a 66 for 18-under. Hideki Matsuyama took bronze with his closing 65 taking him to 17-under.
“I’m a bit bummed with my round, with, obviously, a couple of big mistakes,” saud Van Rooyen afterwards.
“But what an incredible week. If I reflect on this week, it was one of the best weeks of my golfing career. Being able to represent my country was a dream come true and a huge privilege and honour. The atmosphere here at the course was unlike anything I have ever experienced, including all the majors I’ve played. I can’t wait for the next Olympics in four years’ time.
“To all the supporters back home in South Africa, I’m so grateful. Also, for all the support here in France from the French, the Belgians and obviously so many South Africans. It’s been absolutely unbelievable. Thank you to you guys. I can’t wait to be home in December, and see everyone at the Nedbank Challenge and at the Alfred Dunhill Championship,” he added.
