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Olympic gold places Schauffele in golf’s elite

KAWAGOE, Japan (AP) – Golf’s biggest trophies are often silver and green. Xander Schauffele knows this well, because he has been close enough to them to dream of winning them.

No one doubted his abilities or questioned why he has hovered around the top 10 in the world for almost three years. The only thing missing was that decisive triumph.

The gold medal hanging around his neck changes everything.

“He needed to take that step,” Schauffele said, and that’s what he did on Sunday under as much pressure as never before in his life. Tied for the top with two holes to play, he made a 6-foot birdie on the 17th and then parlayed the final hole to secure a one-shot victory.

With this, he advanced to fourth place in the world rankings.

It was his fifth victory, but the first time starting from the lead in the final round. And it ended a nearly 18-month drought, dating back to its first tournament of 2019.

He came second, behind Tiger Woods, at the 2019 Masters. He suffered from influenza and also reached a playoff months later against Rory McIlroy in Shanghai.

For a sport that has had major champions from every continent where golf is played, the new Olympic champion is an excellent example of the international aspect of golf.

His mother is from Taiwan and grew up in Japan, and Schauffele has grandparents in both countries. His father is German of French and Austrian descent.

“I’m the only American by birth in my family,” said Schauffle, who was born and raised in San Diego. “Being so international, I learned from many different cultures and it made me understand many cultures. I think that if everyone had the ability to travel more and experience other cultures, they would be more open to having a better coexistence ”.

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