South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen competes in round one of the men’s golf individual stroke play of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Le Golf National in Guyancourt. | AFP
AS A golfer, Erik van Rooyen didn’t think too much about the Olympic Games and partaking in it. After all, the four major tournaments in golf – the PGA Championship, Masters, US Open, and British Open – are what any golfer dreams of playing in and eventually winning.
But as soon as the South African set foot in Paris and the Olympic Village, his perspective of golf at arguably the biggest multi-sport event in the world changed immediately.
“Watching Tatjana Smith win gold in the swimming pool the other night, if that is something I could replicate, being able to win gold or any medal here, it would be a dream come true,” Van Rooyen said.
“The Olympics is an interesting one for us golfers. We obviously have the four major championships which is regarded as the pinnacle of our sport. Golf only recently rejoined the Olympics. So the main thing for me is just the honour of representing South Africa, it’s an absolute dream come true. But my view of the Games changed since I got here because this wasn’t something I thought about a lot.”
When he made his debut on Thursday, Van Rooyen took Le Golf National course just outside Paris by the scruff of the neck and carded a four-under 67 to tie for sixth. A double bogey on the final hole just prevented him from finishing stronger.
He’s played Le National a couple of times before in the French Open and enjoys it, adding that there’s lots of trouble but also some scoring opportunities which makes it a good mix.
Ahead of his tee off, he’s had the time to support other South Africans like Smith and Pieter Coetze in the swimming pool, while he also watched some gymnastics. There are also a few other sports on his bucket list that he wants to watch.
“I would want to go see the obvious ones. Track and field. Something like the men’s 4x100 relay would be absolutely incredible. But unfortunately, I’m leaving Monday morning to get back on the PGA Tour.”
Fellow South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout said outside the Majors, the Olympics is one of the biggest platforms to participate in. For him, it’s a big honour and privilege to represent the country for a second time.
He went to watch Smith in the swimming pool as well and was in awe at how she claimed South Africa’s first gold.
“She was amazing in the pool, especially coming from behind in that second 50m to win. I would have loved to go and watch some athletics, especially the sprints. It would’ve been amazing to experience the 100, 200, and 400m. But I will have to go and do that when I get home next week.”
Bezuidenhout ended one under in his first round to tie for 29th, while yesterday he shot level par to end in 36th place. He has some catching up to do if he wants to be counted amongst the top golfers at the Games after today and tomorrow’s final two rounds.
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