Instead of traveling abroad last week for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, former Gophers golfer Erik Van Rooyen opted for a much more familiar place.

Though he would have loved to be on the Seine River representing his native South Africa, Van Rooyen had some business to take care of at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. Unfortunately for Van Rooyen, he struggled in his final tune-up, missing the 36-hole cut at the 3M Open.

Now, after mentally resetting with some family time, Van Rooyen will turn his focus to the Olympics, where he will compete against the best golfers in the world alongside fellow countryman Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

“It’s going to be great,” Van Rooyen said. “It’s still surreal thinking I’m going to represent my country at the highest level. It’s weird because in golf we’ve got the majors, which is what everybody focuses on, and then we throw the Olympics every so often. To me, the closer it gets, the more excited I’m getting.”

The 72-hole stroke play competition will tee off around 2 a.m. CT Thursday. It will closely resemble any other event on the PGA Tour, with the biggest change being the fact that only 60 golfers will compete.

The reigning Olympic gold medalist is Xander Schauffele after an impressive showing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He and fellow American Scottie Scheffler are the favorite based on the way they have dominated for much of this year.

As for Van Rooyen, if he can perform at his peak like he has several times this year, he will have a chance for a high finish. Some of his best finishes this year include a T2 at the Cognizant Classic in March, a T4 at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May and a T6 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in June.

This isn’t the first time Van Rooyen has represented South Africa in international competition. He did it once as an amateur (not the Olympics) before he reached the PGA Tour. That might help with some nerves that are bound to pop up.

“Just getting to do that as a professional is the ultimate,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

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