There was nothing to separate Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson through 71 holes with the former Ryder Cup partners both 15-under par as they stepped on to the 18th green at the Olympic Golf Course on Sunday afternoon.
Advertisement
DeAndre Jordan and fellow USA men’s basketball players Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler showed up to see the women’s beach quarterfinals on Sunday night.
Even for a major champion, this was more than he ever imagined.
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. The 60 players who came, dressed in their country colors and team bags – and three medals at the end of the week – showed what they were missing.
Rose, the world number 12, will not be celebrating for too long in Rio though as he is tipped to return home by tomorrow with his son ready to be mascot at the Chelsea vs West Ham match at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
That left the stage clear for Rose to tap-in and seal victory before punching the air in delight, the 36-year-old having been one of the biggest supporters of golf’s Olympic comeback while more than 20 of his fellow professionals had opted out. “The reality hasn’t sunk in”, Rose said. “It’s a moment we’ve seen in other sports”.
“Henrik was never going to give an inch today”.
“I think it was a sell-out which is more than some of the other events I’m watching on TV where there’s been a lot of open spots in stadiums”, Rose added.
“Just to be in the team vibe, wear the uniform, go out yesterday and watch the guys play, it’s been really great so far”, she said.
Stenson already made it through one big duel this summer at Royal Troon to win the British Open.
Justin Rose delivered a gold-medal performance worthy of a 112-year wait. The historic feat at the Olympic Golf Course required extra celebration and media responsibilities, so the man playing for Great Britain had to stay around a little longer.
“I had a bit of an issue, my thoracic spine kind of locked up completely after 13 holes”.
The two were tied when they reached the 18th – and that’s where Rose’s shot for the green landed just feet from the pin, drawing cheers from the gallery.
Rose is the first gold medallist in golf since George Lyon of Canada won against a field of mostly Americans.
“He made a birdie and I didn’t, and that’s why he’s got a gold medal and I got a silver”, Stenson said.
McIlroy had also previously said he didn’t feel a responsibility to “grow the game” – one of the reasons put forward as to why golf should be included in the Olympics.
Rose took a very different approach to the tournament and he reaped the rewards as he became the first Olympic golf champion since 1904, and he hopes the excitement of the last round can help cement its place in future Games. “I’m very proud of the achievement”. Now it’s time for you to get yours.’ He was actually crying when I phoned him.
Advertisement
“I always wanted to be in an Olympics and I always wanted to medal”, Kuchar said.
