Tommy Fleetwood says he never dreamed of being an Olympic medallist after he was pipped to the gold by Scottie Scheffler.
Fleetwood was tied with Scheffler on 19-under par at Le Golf National with two holes left to play on Sunday.
But disaster struck after the Englishman missed the green long at the par-4 17th and failed to get up-and-down to salvage a four.
It meant that he needed a miracle birdie up the 72nd hole and, while his effort with his greenside chip was valiant, his golf ball rolled past the cup.
Scheffler was warming up on the range readying himself for a potential playoff before he burst into tears when it was confirmed he had won gold.
“Part of me that is disappointed, of course, but at the same time I never dreamt I’d be an Olympic medallist,” Fleetwood told reporters.
“I’m still unbelievably proud and happy of the way the week went. I’m proud of the way I played today.”
He added: “As a young boy taking up the game of golf, none of us had a chance to win Olympic gold so it was never on our agenda.
“That quickly changes when you’re part of the Olympics and it feels unbelievably special.
“I know I didn’t win gold but standing on that podium with a medal was one of the most amazing moments I’ve had as a golfer.
“I haven’t been in the mix that much recently, and I think being back there and playing well and feeling how I felt again, yeah, I enjoyed it so much and I’m unbelievably proud to be an Olympic medalist.
“I never thought that that would happen.”