Olympics 2024: Boos on the first tee? Don't blame the golf

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — That booing on the first tee during Saturday’s third round of the Olympics men’s golf was a stark contrast to the carnival atmosphere that’s surrounded the mammoth crowds at Le Golf National. Turns out it was (mostly) all in good fun.

The boos echoed the amphitheater surrounding the first tee when Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti was introduced. It didn’t help that Tosti was in a group that included Victor Perez of France, who received raucous cheers. The thing of it is the boos most likely had nothing to do with golf. More likely, it was the reaction of the pro-France crowd to Tosti’s native country, which got into a tussle before, during and after with the French soccer team when the two met in the Olympic men’s quarterfinals Friday night. The French team held on for a 1-0 victory, before fights broke out after the final whistle.

The two countries have been long-time rivals in international soccer, with Argentina winning the last World Cup in a penalty shoot-out over France. That’s been compounded by accusations of racism by the French team against the Argentinians. Argentina won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, while the French are looking for their first soccer gold since 1984.

The spectator participation in the golf this week has been one of the Games more memorable aspects, which included serenading French star Matthieu Pavon with the national anthem and fans waving flags at every opportunity, even two-footers for bogey. Crowd estimates for each of the first two days have hovered around 20,000. The mix of knowledgeable golf fans with the uninitiated has led to a more energetic and louder environment, but one the players seem to have embraced.

"It's been great," said early third-round leader Tommy Fleetwood. "The crowd has been absolutely amazing. It's a different set of supporters than what we get week-in and week-out. It's a very Olympic crowd and atmosphere and it's been great. I always consider myself very lucky with the support I've get but those have been amazing out there."

To his credit, Tosti seemed to laugh off the boos, pounding his tee shot 300 yards and birdieing the opening hole. Perez could only manage par. Tosti’s birdie drew cheers. Argentina, 1-0.