August15, 2016: Justin Rose delivered a gold-medal performance in golf worthy of a 112-year wait.
In a final round Sunday so tense that no one led by more than one shot, Rose won on the last hole with a 40-yard pitch to 3 feet for birdie and a 4-under 67, giving him a two-shot victory over Henrik Stenson to win the first gold medal in golf since 1904 in St. Louis.
And the 36-year-old from Great Britain, already a major champion, showed how much it meant.
As the final putt fell into the cup, Rose thrust his fist into the air and popped the British crest on his shirt before turning to embrace Stenson. He raised both arms, pumped his fist again and took a bow.
“The reality is incredible. The reality hasn’t sunk in,” Rose said. “The whole week, I’ve been so focused. I’ve been so into it. I’ve been up for it. I’ve been just so determined, I suppose, to represent team GB as best as I could. And it was just the most magical week.”
Matt Kuchar of the United States closed with a 63 to win the bronze.
Stenson already faced one duel this summer at Royal Troon to win the British Open with the lowest score in major championship history. But deep in the round, the Swede’s said his spine locked up on him. He was stretching on all fours on the 13th and a physiotherapist worked on him at the 14th, where a poor chip cost him the lead. The 40-year-old kept firing away, however, tying Rose with a pitch to 4 feet for birdie on the 16th.
They were tied coming to the final hole, fans lining both sides of the fairway, exactly the moment and atmosphere golf needed to make a good impression on the International Olympic Committee.
Stenson’s pitch from 50 yards came up short, just over 20 feet away, and then Rose delivered what amounted to the winner. Knowing that Rose was in tight for birdie, Stenson rammed his birdie putt some 7 feet by the cup and missed the par putt, giving him a 3-under 68.
“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.
It’s not nearly as valuable as silver claret jug from Royal Troon, but still special.
“We said that all along in the Olympics, you’ve got some pretty good consolation prizes,” Stenson said.
He failed to birdie the 18th, however, and Stenson and Rose at that point were two shots ahead facing birdie chances down the stretch.
“I can’t explain the pride to you that’s just busting out of my chest,” Kuchar said.
Doug Ferguson
Associated Press
