EXCLUSIVE
Tommy Fleetwood wasn’t worried about ‘annoying’ Scottie Scheffler in gold medal hunt but concedes he was ‘beaten by the best’
Tommy Fleetwood has conceded he was beaten to Olympic gold by the best player in the world in Scottie Scheffler.
World No.1 Scheffler shot a course record nine-under 62 on the final day of the men’s golf event at Le Golf National to beat Team GB’s Fleetwood by one stroke.
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Fleetwood enjoyed a brilliant week in Paris but a costly bogey on his 71st hole cost him the chance of forcing a playoff with Scheffler.
The 33-year-old Englishman did hold his nerve on the final hole to secure silver and has admitted Scheffler was just too good.
The USA superstar has produced one of the most dominant years in recent golfing history, winning The Masters, The Players and several other top level events.
He is now also an Olympic champion as his brilliance shined through in the final round in Paris.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, Fleetwood joked: “It's annoying, innit?
“He is the best player in the world, he's having a phenomenal year and he had an amazing day yesterday.
“He wasn't really one that we were thinking of for a lot of the round but then I saw that he was getting close.
“He's the best player in the world and is now the Olympic champion as well. So if you're going to get beat by someone, I guess you get beat by the best.”
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Fleetwood was relieved to sink his putt on the 18th hole and not have to face a playoff for silver.
But he was also left to rue what could have been despite his impressive week.
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Emotional golf star Scottie Scheffler breaks down in tears on podium after winning Olympic gold
He added: “It was an amazing weekend and was an amazing day yesterday. It was great to be a part of it.
“Obviously, there's a small part of you that's a bit gutted when you come so close and not to win gold.
“But still, having an Olympic medal is something that's very special.
“I really wanted no part in having to go into a playoff for silver and bronze.
“I had a really good chip [on 18] and there was a period where I thought I might have chipped in to getting a playoff for the gold.
“In any other tournament, you're not that fussed. You know, it can go in or it doesn't but I was actually still pretty nervous over that [final putt]. I just wanted to get it over and done with."
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Fleetwood has seven European Tour titles to his name and has also been a key part of two victorious European Ryder Cup teams.
Asked where his silver medal ranks in his career achievements, he added: “I honestly don't know.
“Golf was my favourite sport [growing up] and we never had a chance of dreaming of being an Olympic medallist.
“But as soon as it's come around, I think you're just watching it grow and grow in terms of how much we want it, how much it means to us.
“And, you know, it's a tough one right now, but I just know that when I stood up on that podium yesterday, it was one of the most special moments of my career.
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“This medal is something that I'll cherish forever.
“Hopefully, this week it's done golf the world of good to show what a spectacle it can be and how much it means to us all.”
talkSPORT brings you live coverage of the Paris Olympics this summer, with Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes among our legendary line-up of pundits. Listen to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, via the app, or through your smart speaker. And follow our live blog for all the latest news.