Former Illini need strong finish to medal at the 2021 Olympic Games

We are entering the final round of the men’s golf portion of the 2021 Olympic Games.

After three tough rounds, Xander Schauffele of the United State leads the tournament with a score of -14. He has a one-shot lead over homegrown sensation and 2021 Masters winner, Hideki Matsuyama. Some former Illini golfers aren’t too far off the lead, though.

Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry are the two golfers representing Illinois in the Olympics. They are also representing the country of Belgium. After day one, Pieters was sitting in a good spot at -6. Since then, things have started to level out a bit for the former Illini great.

Pieters now sits at -8 for the tournament, just six shots off the lead. His fellow countryman, Detry, is right there with him. A slow start to the Olympics by Detry was quickly fixed, as he has now shot in the 60s back-to-back days. Detry also sits a -8 for the tournament.

Medaling in the 2021 Olympic Games would be impressive for the duo.

I know the Gold medal is something everyone competing in the Olympics is chasing, but they also honor the players who finished in second and third. It isn’t all about the gold.

Obviously, the goal is Gold, but both Pieters and Detry are having a good showing. Pieters has experience in this position, as he competed in the 2016 Olympic Games and finished in fourth place. But Detry is new to the whole environment.

A strong final day for the two could put them in contention for the medal stand. They are only six shots back of Gold, five shots back of Silver and four shots back of Bronze. That deficit is by no means too much to handle. But they have to play well if they want any shot.

Pieters and Detry continue to make Illini Nation proud. Let’s see if they can throw up a great number in the final round and take home a medal for their country and the Orange and Blue.