Tokyo Olympics Men's Golf Final Day: Sabatini Wins Silver, Pan Zheng Earns Bronze After Playoff Among 7 Players
Im Sung-jae is teeing off during the final day of the men's golf event at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo by International Golf Federation
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Olympic medal next time."
World No. 27 Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) finished tied for 22nd place (10-under 274) by adding 3-under on the final day of the men's golf event at the Tokyo Olympics held on the 1st at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (par 71, 7,447 yards). Xander Schauffele (USA) won the gold medal (18-under 266), Rory Sabbatini (Slovakia) took silver (17-under 267), and Pan Cheng-tsung (Taiwan) claimed the bronze (15-under 269) after a seven-man playoff.
Im Sung-jae posted a daily best 8-under on the previous day, getting close to the medal positions. However, on this day, he could only manage three birdies and failed to make further progress. It was especially disappointing considering he skipped the 2021 season's final major, The Open, earlier last month to focus all his efforts here. "I targeted 'top 3' in rounds 1 and 2, but ironically, the game did not go well," he said. "Based on this experience, I will definitely aim for a medal in the next Olympics."
Medalists in men's golf at the Tokyo Olympics, including Pan Chengzhong, Xander Schauffele, and Rory Sabbatini (from left). Photo by International Golf Federation
Schauffele's 8-under on the second day was the driving force behind his victory. Starting the day with a one-shot lead, he shot 4-under with five birdies and one bogey. It is interesting that his father is of mixed French and German descent, and his mother was born in Taiwan but raised in Japan from the age of two. "I have relatives living in Taiwan and Japan, and I have visited both countries several times," he said. "At home, I was usually educated in a culture familiar with Japan."
Sabbatini also attracted the spotlight with a unique story. Originally from Durban, South Africa, he changed his nationality to Slovakia in 2019. His wife, Martina Stopanikova, whom he married in 2014, is Slovak. It was speculated that this was because it was easier to qualify for the 2020 Olympics representing Slovakia than South Africa, which had many world stars. Sabbatini indeed found it difficult to secure an Olympic ticket from South Africa. On this day, he fired a 10-under round to gift a silver medal to his new country, Slovakia.
Pan Cheng-tsung's wife, Michelle, served as his caddie during a grueling four-hole playoff (holes 18, 10, 11, and 18). He created big news by defeating top-ranked players such as 'The Open Champion' Collin Morikawa (USA), hometown favorite Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Rory McIlroy (Ireland), and Paul Casey (UK). Kim Si-woo (26) finished tied for 32nd (8-under 276). "I did my best," he said, adding, "I hope the Korean women's team sweeps the medals."
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