Golf’s return to the Olympics after 112 years produced a thrilling Sunday – two major champions dueling in the afternoon sun and a cheery American firing an 8-under 63 to win bronze.
Advertisement
Leaving Stenson to claim silver and America’s Matt Kuchar, bronze.
“But to know that there are people that are going to watch me compete in the Olympics, I think is just a great feeling and just a huge honor to represent New Zealand in the Olympics”.
Rose, who carded the second best score of the day at a 6-under 65, has excelled since the first day of competition when he hit a hole in one, a modern Olympic first. “I did as well as I could”, Stenson said.
The victory maintained Rose’s record of winning at least one event every year since 2010 and also lifted him back into the world’s top 10, while runner-up Stenson replaced Rory McIlroy in fourth in the rankings.
“Coming up with that last pitch when I needed it was magical”.
“This is just a dream come true”, Rose said. “It was the wonderful spirit here in Rio, which I think speaks to the bigger picture of what a success it’s been”.
Stenson struggled with a back injury from the 13th hole onwards but refused to use that as an excuse, adding: “I’m pleased with my performance”.
“I would never want to take away the two majors I won, but I think that’s going to be same for the Olympics”.
“We were always confident because so many nations had said to us that this was very important for golf”, Dawson said.
Stenson took the lead for the first time when Rose failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker on the 13th, but was struggling with an injury and received treatment from his physio after hitting his tee shot on the 14th. No man ever has defeated the top three seeds on the way to a gold, but 2009 US champion del Potro sure came close before winding up with a silver to go alongside his bronze from 2012.
The new course, carved out of natural park in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro, will become a public facility after the Games, a legacy for promoting the sport in Brazil.
“But I was still there at the end and it came down to whoever made birdie down the last”.
Golfers get the opportunity to play on TV week in, week out for lots of money, but to have that one chance to perform with the whole world watching is something really special.
With five to play Stenson was the man with his nose in front.
“He was very, very proud and he said he was pulling for me”, said Rose, who birdied the final hole Sunday to defeat Henrik Stenson for the gold medal. He still needs to sail that race before they put the medal around his neck, hoist the Union Jack and play “God Save the Queen” on Flamengo Beach, with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background.
“I would like to have spent more time in the village and with the athletes in general, learn about their sports”.
Advertisement
Rose dropped his approach six feet from the cup at 15 and made the birdie putt to reclaim a one-shot lead, then barely missed a 30-foot birdie effort at 16, only to have Stenson calmly sink a four-foot birdie putt to pull level at 15 under.
