Schauffele and Rahm stay in front in tight Paris finale

GUYANCOURT, France : U.S. defending champion Xander Schauffele and Spain’s Jon Rahm remained tied atop the leaderboard with popular Briton Tommy Fleetwood and world number one Scottie Scheffler close behind as the men’s Olympic golf was set for a nail-biting finish on Sunday.
In the final group on the course, overnight co-leaders Schauffele and Rahm traded birdies to reach 16 under after five holes, one ahead of Fleetwood in third as the Englishman who starred in Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup win over the United States at the same course was again cheered on by the crowd.
Schauffele won gold in Tokyo in another close battle and came to Paris on the back of his first two major titles this year. Rahm, also a twice major winner, has similarly pointed to recent good form helping him negotiate Le Golf National near Paris.
The Olympic golf tournament uses a stroke play format, with the medallists taking the fewest shots over the four rounds.
If participants are tied in the medal positions, a playoff will take place at the end of normal play around 6 pm (1600 GMT).
Early tournament leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who narrowly missed bronze on home soil three years ago in a seven-way playoff, was in fourth place at 14 under.
American Scheffler struck birdies on each of the first three holes and was at 13 under par for the tournament after six holes, tied fifth with Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.
The Dane caused the surprise of Saturday’s third round by equalling the course record with a nine-under-par 62.
Other players within touching distance of the podium were world number three Rory McIlroy of Ireland at 12 under,
For France, Matthieu Pavon completed a punishing competition with a three over par round to sit in last place in the clubhouse at 13 over.
French hopes rest with Victor Perez, who at nine under was still out on the course.
Sunday saw a second injury withdrawal, with Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pulling out mid-round after Britain’s injured Matt Fitzpatrick abandoned following Saturday’s round.
That leaves 58 players set to complete the competition.