Former Arizona golfer Rory Sabbatini sets Olympic record, wins silver medal for Slovakia

Arizona golf alum Rory Sabbatini shot the best individual round in Olympic history to lead Slovakia to a silver medal in the men’s golf competition.

In the process, Sabbatini became the third current or former Wildcat to take home silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, joining USA softball’s Dejah Mulipola and American diver Delaney Schnell.

The 45-year old Sabbatini shot a 61 Sunday to finish the event 17-under-par, one stroke behind gold medalist Xander Schauffele of the United States.

Sabbatini, who golfed at the UA from 1994-98, entered the final round well out of medal contention but quickly made up ground with birdies on three of the first five holes. Sabbatini then eagled the par-four sixth hole, which moved him into a tie for third-place.

The former two-time All-American carried that momentum forward, birdieing seven of the 11 holes along with two bogies.

Sabbatini was in position to force a gold medal playoff with Schauffele until the American birdied the 17^th hole to go ahead, then held on with a par on the 18^th.

Sabbatini’s silver is the 77^th all-time Olympic medal won by an Arizona athlete and the first in golf.