Thomas Detry back in contention to realise goal of podium finish at Olympics

By Mathieu Wood

Finishing fourth is rarely viewed as a failure in golf. Yet, in the Olympic Games, that is exactly what it is.

A podium spot for Thomas Detry is the only focus for the Belgian this week. And after a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 on Friday, he put himself firmly in contention to realise his goal.

“You don't come to the Olympics to finish top ten,” said Detry, who opened with a level-par 71 on Thursday. “Sometimes in majors that's what you play for. Out here today I felt like I put myself back in contention and I'm here to reach my target.

“Sometimes in a major, obviously there are points and money or whatever you want. There's nothing of that here.

“We play for a medal and for bringing our Belgian flag as high as possible. Hopefully I can keep it going.”

Le Golf National is a picture of colours this week, with a truly international field – 32 countries are represented among the 60 athletes competing.

The Albatros course provides a number of great vantage points for fans to take in the action, perhaps none better than behind the 18th green, which effectively forms an island with the neighbouring 15th green.

While many of the fans are rooting for home hopes Matthieu Pavon and Victor Perez, there were a good number of Belgian flags in sight as Detry finished his second round in the sunshine on the outskirts of Paris.

“Not only on the 18th green but yesterday,” he said. “It started on one, we were talking me and Stephan Jaeger how cool this feels.

“We don't even have that feeling at the majors standing on the first tee Friday morning having so many people cheering your name, carrying the flag. It's very special.”

Paris 2024 marks the third Games since golf was re-introduced to the Olympic programme in 2016, and based on the reaction of a host of players over the opening two days it is truly finding its place.

We don't even have that feeling at the majors standing on the first tee Friday morning having so many people cheering your name

After Min Woo Lee admitted he nearly had a tear in his eye at the reception he received on the opening tee in Thursday’s first round, Detry added his voice to the growing list of players blown over by the interest the competition is generating.

“I think everybody has the same feeling in the Olympics in golf,” he said. “It's not particularly something you put in your schedule as a target. We have kind of Signature Events or majors or national opens, that's kind of our target.

“I think the closer we got to the Olympics, the more we realised how big this is. Seeing how many people are here, it's like the Ryder Cup, I want to say. There are people everywhere. It's incredible.

“Even for a Friday morning, it doesn't get that busy at the French Open or any events. It's nice.”

Detry has registered a series of notable results this season, including three top tens – one of which came on the major stage at the US PGA Championship.

The 31-year-old is yet to achieve individual victory on either the DP World Tour or the PGA TOUR but success this week would be particularly meaningful.

“We are a small country,” he said. “We only have three medals (at Paris 2024, as of Friday). We only have (around) 14 million inhabitants.

“We don't have that many golfers. So yeah, adding another medal would be incredible. For it to be golf, it would be even better. That's the goal.”