Matthieu Pavon has conceded he was blown over by the rapturous reception he received by fans at Le Golf National – claiming ‘it was too much’.
The Frenchman carded an opening level-par round of 71 at the Paris Olympics on Thursday to leave him in 42nd spot heading into Friday’s second round.
Pavon has admitted he was overwhelmed by the support, which saw ‘too many people screaming’ his name.
He appeared close to tears after being serenaded by the French national anthem on the first tee on Friday.
Golf reporter Tony Webeck shared footage of the reception he garnered, likening it to one Tiger Woods would expect from his adoring fans.
Taking to X, he posted: “Mathieu [sic] Pavon is getting the Tiger Woods treatment at Le Golf National. Crowd is bonkers.”
The Toulouse native is used to playing in front of loud crowds having been in contention to win the U.S. Open earlier this year in the closing round.
Meanwhile he took part in his first Masters in April – three months after winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in California.
That victory saw him become the first Frenchman to win a PGA Tour event since Arnaud Massy in 1907.
But he has insisted none of those atmospheres compared to what he experienced on the first tee of the opening day of the Olympic Golf Tournament held in his native country.
Speaking after his opening round, he said: “That was a crazy moment which I wasn’t prepared [for].
“At that moment, too big, too [many] emotions, too many people screaming just your name.
“So it’s very special, so yeah, that was something I had to fight a little bit, those emotions.
“And it was a tough day overall because the emotions out there, every single shot, every single tee shot, every putt, everybody is pushing you, wants to do great.
“So it’s tough to manage all of this. It takes a lot of energy, and I’m pretty pleased the way that I did so far today.”
He added: “An experience I never experienced before, even though when I played the last round at Torrey this year, [atmosphere] wasn’t that big.”
Pavon then stated that it was emotionally exhausting being cheered on for the entirety of his round.
He stated: “Sometimes it was too much for me.
“I don’t know if it’s too much for me, but, as I say, I wasn’t prepared.
“You don’t really have a hole where you can calm down and breathe and take some water.
“It’s always you get back to that tee box and everyone screaming your name, and stuff like this, so you never get some rest.
“That was a very tiring day for me.”
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News Summary:
- ‘I wasn’t prepared’ – Olympic golfer Matthieu Pavon almost reduced to tears by ‘Tiger Woods treatment’ at Paris 2024
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