Justin Rose, the world number 12, beat Sweed Henrik Stenson in a thrilling final round in the men’s golf final to secure another gold medal for Great Britain.
The Englishman beat Stenson, his nearest rival, by two shots after making birdie on the dramatic 18th hole. Rose went on to shoot a final round 67 and finish on a score of 16-under-par to earn Team GB’s 12th gold medal of the games.
Today’s gold medal is one full of history. It is the first gold medal in the sport after its departure of 112 years and it is Britain’s first ever Olympic gold in the games.
The 2013 US Open champion played a stylish round, marking 3 birdies on his card in the early stages of the round to increase his lead from 12-under to 16-under-par. Stenson, much like he did at the Open against Phil Mickelson, was relentless and kept the pressure up till the very end.
Rose made his move on the 15th and made a crucial birdie to retake the lead. Stenson followed suit on the next hole after a fantastic approach shot he holed his birdie putt to tie the lead, subsequently Rose played an average wedge shot and made par – a rare sight during his flawless round.
Still all tied at 15-under-par on the 17th the two men headed to 18th. One was the 2016 Champion Golfer of the Year and the other the 2013 US Open Champion, who has been riddled with injuries the last two seasons. Both friends and Ryder Cup teammates but now they were neck and neck and all that stood between them and the Olympic gold medal was the par-5 18th.
Both went into hit wayward tee shots to the right of the hole, and swamped by the crowds managed to produce good second shots leaving them both short of the green. Stenson was first to play his third, but landing it too short it span back down the slope, leaving the Sweed with a lengthy birdie putt. Rose stepped up and stiffed his third shot to around 2ft.
It was all or nothing. Stenson powered his putt past the hole and had 7ft for par. He missed and made bogey dropping to 14-under-par and handing Rose the golf medal.
The Englishman tapped in his bride putt with ease and just like that he was Britain’s first Olympic golf champion.
Stenson, who by no means played poor, took silver, and the USA’s Matt Kuchar, earns the bronze after shooting a brilliant final round of 63.
With this gold medal win, Rose receives 46 world-ranking and a whole nation who will be ever grateful to him. A truly fantastic display from a truly fantastic champion.
