Rick Shiels has been discussing the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the YouTube star has shared something interesting he noticed about the crowds at Le Golf National.
Throughout the week, the atmosphere at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue was a huge talking point, with players being supported brilliantly as they made their way around Le Golf National.
Jason Day was left stunned by his reception on the first tee, and Scottie Scheffler claimed the atmosphere caught him by surprise.
Shiels has now said he was shocked at what certain patrons were wearing, which isn’t commonplace on the PGA Tour.
Rick Shiels discusses the 2024 Olympic crowd at Le Golf National
Talking on the latest edition of the Rick Shiels Golf Show, Shiels claimed he was surprised at the number of people wearing their country’s colours.
“The one thing that I noticed was how the fans dressed in their nation’s colours,” said the YouTube star. “They had flags and bucket hats, and I saw some guys with England shirts on. American flags everywhere.”
He added: “The crowd really showed their colours to the players, which, again, we don’t normally see at a golf event.”
The 2024 Olympics didn’t attract the traditional golf fan
An explanation for the atmosphere and array of colours in Paris could be down to the lack of ‘traditional’ golf fans present.
Typically, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are relatively civilised experiences for patrons. There’s an understanding of how to act and how to avoid overstepping the line.
However, at Le Golf National, there was more of a Ryder Cup feel in place. Fans were passionately supporting their nation’s players without letting things get out of control.
The 2024 Paris Olympics felt like a happy medium between the PGA Tour and what has been seen on LIV Golf.
Greg Norman’s venture is certainly atmospheric but has crossed the line on numerous occasions this year. Looking to the Olympic event could prove wise for the decision-makers at the PGA and LIV.
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