2021 Olympic Men’s Golf 4th Round Odds, Preview and Picks
- Xander Schauffele leads the Olympic Men’s Golf competition by one shot after round three
- Ten golfers are within four shots of jam packed leaderboard
- See the updated odds at Kasumigaseki Country Club below for Saturday’s (in North America) final round within the story below
The battle for three medals at the Olympic Men’s Golf competition will be a fierce one as the leaderboard is littered with big name players. Heading that list is American Xander Schauffele, who entered the championship with the second shortest odds to win gold. He posted his second round of 3-under, 68 this week, sandwiched in between a brilliant 63 in the second round. The X-Man has made at least five birdies in all three trips around the Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Local hero Hideki Matsuyama is just one stroke behind as he attempts to win gold on home soil after already becoming the first Japanese male to win a major championship at the Masters. Matsuyama has been outstanding the last two rounds, as he’s had just one blemish on his scorecard. Should they both stumble, major champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are lurking, ready to pounce.
Read on to see the updated odds and the best bets heading into the final round.
Updated Men’s Olympic Golf Odds to Win Gold
| Golfer | Position | Score | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xander Schauffele (USA) | 1st | -14 | +175 |
| Hideki Matsuyama (JAP) | 2nd | -13 | +280 |
| Paul Casey (GBR) | T-3rd | -12 | +700 |
| Rory McIlroy (NIR) | T-5th | -11 | +1000 |
| Carlos Ortiz (MEX) | T-3rd | -12 | +1200 |
| Sebastian Munoz (COL) | T-5th | -11 | +2200 |
| Mito Pereira (CHL) | T-5th | -11 | +2200 |
| Shane Lowry (IRE) | T-9th | -10 | +2900 |
| Sepp Straka (AUT) | T-5th | -11 | +3300 |
| Tommy Fleetwood (GBR) | T-9th | -10 | +3300 |
Odds as of July 31st at FanDuel
Matsuyama With Sights Set On Gold
The top two golfers on the leaderboard are proven winners, and they went head to head at the Masters that Hideki Matsuyama won in April. Schauffele had mounted a furious comeback in the final round before a triple bogey late Sunday sunk his chances. He’ll be out for a measure of payback over Matsuyama this go around.
Of the X-Man’s four PGA Tour triumphs, none have come when he led heading into the final round. He’s also put up two bogeys in all three rounds, while Matsuyama has just one total the last two days. Matsuyama is also second in scrambling after 54 holes, and surprisingly the putter has cooperated, as he’s fourth in putting.
All eyes on Hideki Matsuyama 👀
1 shot back 📈
Teeing it up in the final group 🏌️
Playing in his home country 🇯🇵
In search of Olympic gold 🏅 pic.twitter.com/jASOueH3Jo— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2021
It would be an incredible story to see Matsuyama earn gold on home soil after also capturing a major this season. Given Schauffele’s penchant for struggling with 54 hole leads and Matsuyama’s more consistent game this week, the reigning Masters champs odds at slightly longer +280 are more appealing.
2020 Olympic Men’s Golf Live Value Picks
- Rory McIlroy (+1000): After finding himself a full six shots off the pace following round one play, Rory McIlroy has been fighting back with rounds of 66 and 67. The former world #1 is just three adrift, and is a prodigious winner, having taken 19 PGA Tour titles. Tied second in greens in regulation through 54 holes. Seven of his last eight wins he’s shot 68 or better in the final round.
- Shane Lowry (+2900): Heading into the tournament we felt Shane Lowry was good value at +2200, and he’s now at +2900. The Irishman begins four back but has the firepower to go low in the final round. He’s made 14 birdies, and is first in strokes gained approaching the green and fourth in proximity to hole.
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
