Tommy Fleetwood has already issued his verdict on the Olympic golf course and how difficult it will be

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Tommy Fleetwood will be one of those in the field hoping to win Olympic gold this week, with the Englishman returning to the scene of one of the greatest triumphs of his career to date.

Tommy Fleetwood was part of Team GB for Tokyo three years ago, with the 33-year-old finishing in 16th. And he is back for another go, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, while Georgia Hall and Charley Hull are also competing for Team GB in Paris.

Fleetwood is definitely no stranger to Le Golf National, with the course hosting Open de France almost continuously on the European Tour since 1991. And it was Fleetwood who won the event in 2017, finishing one clear of Peter Uihlein.

But Fleetwood’s most notable appearance at Le Golf National surely came one year later, when he won four points from five to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup.

Tommy Fleetwood has issued verdict on Le Golf National ahead of the Olympics

Speaking ahead of the event, Fleetwood shared how much he loves the French course.

“It’s such a demanding course and one it is not easy to make birdies on. There are chances out there, such as when you get past the first couple of holes, you’ve got opportunities at 3, 4, 5 and 6. But they don’t come easy, and big numbers are out there if you’re not playing well,” he told the Daily Mail.

“I struggle to think of a better finish that you could have,” he told Sky Sports about the prospect of playing the Ryder Cup at the course. “I mean you’ve got 24 of the best players in the world playing it, and I think it will probably show.

“It is what you practice for, to play some of the toughest holes in golf in the biggest sporting event in the world – something I’d like to do. I’d probably like the matches to be over before it but I would still relish the challenge of playing them.”

Very happy memories

Of course, Fleetwood’s performance in the Ryder Cup six years ago was particularly significant. Europe were 3-0 down when Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari beat Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed in the final game on Friday morning.

Thankfully for Europe, Thomas Bjorn’s side’s performance just went from strength to strength from there. Fleetwood and Molinari won all four of their matches and ensured their partnership would forever be known as Moliwood, while the latter went on to also win his singles match on Sunday as Europe secured an emphatic victory.

It was an incredible spectacle with Le Golf National boasting a number of outstanding holes which proved to be particularly perfect for the drama of matchplay.

Obviously, Olympic golf is a stroke play event. But Fleetwood is in the unique position having won around the course this week in both formats during his career.