Victor Perez almost joined Leon Marchand, Kylian Mbappe, and countless other French sporting icons with his superb play at the Olympics Men’s Golf Competition.
The Frenchman shot an 8-under 63 on Sunday, which included a thrilling back-nine 29 that won the hearts of many. Perez ultimately finished one short shy of Hideki Matsuyama, who took home the bronze, but he enthralled the thousands of sporting fans cheering him on at Le Golf National. His eagle on the par-5 14th vaulted him into contention for a medal, something that countless individuals did not see coming—including Perez himself.
“Once I eagled 14, I was like, ‘Oh, shit, am I actually in this!’” Perez said.
“Obviously, great round. I don’t think there are any shots that I could have picked up on that back nine for sure, even on the front nine. I think I played really well.”
After his three on 14, Perez birdied the 15th and 16th holes to quickly climb to 16-under par and into the mix. He had longer looks for birdie on the final two holes, but narrowly missed both. Yet, the French supporters serenaded Perez with a rendition of their national anthem on the 17th green, and then Perez received an incredible ovation on the 18th green after putting out.
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“Obviously, the amphitheater at the end, 15, 16, the big crowd on 18, I think that’s what makes Le Golf National so special is coming down the stretch when the crowd is there, and we saw it at the Ryder Cup even more where both mounds were completely covered with people and the grandstands and even the people on the first were trying to look over to 18 which is quite a ways,” Perez explained.
“This theater at the end created an atmosphere that we don’t get to experience that often, that stadium-like atmosphere that I think we all enjoy but don’t often get in golf.”
With so many other sports taking place within the greater Paris area this week, plenty of other fans visited the course to watch some of the best players in the world take on an iconic venue.
That only helped Perez’s cause, as he was clearly the biggest draw on Sunday—more popular than Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Tommy Fleetwood.
“I think the Olympics are able to bring not a hundred percent of golf crowd, which I think is great. I think people probably go online, see the golf is on, and decide to buy tickets and come watch, and obviously, it’s quite entertaining. I think Paris and Le Golf National have done a great job having us and hosting the event,” Perez added.
“It’s been such an iconic venue since the 2018 Ryder Cup that everybody has seen highlights or at least the winning putt. It was a great week.”
Had Perez won a medal, the party at Le Golf National would have continued well into the night. But he still turned in a valiant effort that his fellow players even appreciated.
“Standing on the 16th tee and watching Victor Perez come up 18 and how he was serenaded by the French crowds. We don’t get that any other place that we play, maybe apart from the Ryder Cup,” said McIlroy.
“I just thought it was an incredible atmosphere and environment to play in, and I think everyone in the field had a blast.”
Perhaps nobody had more fun than Perez, even though he came up just short of winning the bronze. That’s the power of camaraderie and companionship, especially on a stage like the Olympics, in your home country, no less.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
