Team South Africa golfers Christiaan Bezuidenhout, middle left, and Erik van Rooyen, middle right, pose for a picture with their caddies at Le Golf National ahead of the Paris Olympics golf competition. Team South Africa golfers Christiaan Bezuidenhout, middle left, and Erik van Rooyen, middle right, pose for a picture with their caddies at Le Golf National ahead of the Paris Olympics golf competition. Picture Sunshine Tour / X
Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen tee off representing their country at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, both proud at being able to be part of Team SA at Le Golf National.
Bezuidenhout, the world No 46, is competing in his second Olympics, having finished tied 16th in Tokyo, where gold was won by American Xander Schauffele. The latter is one of the favourites this week, having come into the event on the back of two Majors wins in 2024.
Both Bezuidenhout and Van Rooyen know that driving and putting well will be key this week to scoring well.
“It’s always special to represent one’s country at any level. Outside the Majors, this is one of the biggest stages to play. It’s a great honour to have the chance to make South Africa proud both on and off the course.
“I last played the course in 2016, which is a long time ago. It’s a good course from tee to green, and it’s. set up tough. You must stay on the fairways and find the greens. The greens are big, so you need to attack the flag and set up a lot of chances to putt for birdies.”
Inside Le Golf National. 🇫![CDATA[]]>🇷#OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/HPtqM9s3oV
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) July 31, 2024
Van Rooyen is more familiar with the layout. “I played the French Open here a few times, it’s a brilliant layout. There’s lots of trouble if you don’t drive well, and there’s a lot of water. It’s a typical ball-striking course, with lots of scoring opportunities.”
Both players watched Tatjana Smith win gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke and they’ve also seen a bit of gymnastics. They aren’t staying in the Olympic athletes village, but have been to Team SA headquarters.
Final preparations for Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen ahead of the first round of the @OlympicGolf tomorrow. 🔨![CDATA[]]>🚧#OlympicGames #Paris2024 #Golf #GreatnessBeginsHere #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/fCa4hG0VU6
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) July 31, 2024
The village left a lasting impression on them and Van Rooyen even took the opportunity to use the gym. “It is a little crowded though, not that easy to find a spot. Then again, there are nearly 10,000 athletes staying in the village” he laughed.
Bezuidenhout is first off at 9.33am and Van Rooyen tees off at 11.17am.
Team South Africa