Justin Rose of Great Britain won the gold, beating Henrik Stenson to the medal by one single stroke.
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A number of pre-tournament favourites including the likes of Sergio Garica, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler performed nowhere close to their potential and weren’t in the reckoning going into the final holes on the last day.
The 2013 US Open champion closed with a four-under-par 67 to win on 16 under.
“The medal ceremony was surreal”. When all was said and done, Stenson finished in second place, winning a silver medal for the country of Sweden.
“I probably learnt a lot about myself this week, to be honest, ” said Fraser.
“I wish I could bottle this and do it all the time”, Kuchar said. “It is just insane, just so good”.
“I’m in a very good position, but there’s an bad lot of work to be done”, Rose said who hit a hole-in-one on the first day.
Yuka Ikeda had a wonderful start to his final round, carding three birdies and an eagle on the first ten holes, but then everything fell apart for the Japanese as he gave back three in the final eight to end with a four-round score of 3-under 281, leaving him tied for 21st.
Graham DeLaet managed to put the bitter disappointment aside in time to enjoy himself for one last round of golf at the Olympic Games. And Rose was never far from the thick of the action.
He became the first Australian ever to hit a ball in Olympic competition, shot an equal record low round of 63, led the field for two and a half days, began the final day in bronze medal position, played in the final group with major winners Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, and will remember the experience for the rest of his life.
Feeling the Olympic vibe Rose held a one-stroke lead from Stenson going into the final round. However, He would relinquish it with a birdie on the following hole. When Rose dropped a shot at 13 the two were level, with the prospect of a play-off looming large.
While Stenson landed his approach to the green 18-foot from the hole, Rose was only left with a short putt for the title.
It is due to be turned into a public course after the Games, one of just a handful in the South American nation.
Golf returned to the Olympics after an absence of 112 years and the purpose-built course in Rio de Janeiro was packed to see Rose defeat British Open champion Stenson with a birdie at the final hole. “I knew it was a possibility [winning gold] but there were so many great players”.
“To come up with that pitch [on the 18] when I needed it is magical”. “And then when I actually got down to Rio and experienced the whole vibe of the Olympics I have just been really excited”.
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Stenson said he struggled with back problems over the last few holes and had to have treatment soon after the turn, but he did not make excuses for his silver medal performance that included an opening round of 66 followed by three 68s.
