2016 Rio Olympics golf: Justin Rose wins gold, beating Henrik Stenson on final hole – CBSSports.com

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson went at it all day on Sunday at the 2016 Rio Olympics as the International Olympic Committee handed out the first medals in golf in 112 years. After taking the most famous duel of the season at Royal Troon to win his first major championship, Stenson ceded this one to Rose as the two struggled back and forth to take hold of the tournament.

Both players went out in 32, but Rose was nearly flawless coming home with just one bogey to touch off a 67 in the final round. The tournament got pretty tense near the end, however, as Rose notched a win on his sixth different continent (coming for you, Antarctica!)

It came down to the very last hole as the two golfers were tied at 15 under going to the par-5 18th. Both hit their second shots short and to the left of the green, but Rose got up and down with an absolutely brilliant chip and putt for birdie to get to 16 under as Stenson made a three-putt bogey to fall to 14 under.

“It was always going to be a tough match,” Stenson told Golf Channel. “I didn’t hit the best pitch on the last there. It was a good match, a good fight. I played all right. I didn’t play my best. I can’t be too unhappy about this week.

“It was a great atmosphere on the course. It was a great match. We were trying our best to win it. Justin was the better player out there today. That’s why he has a gold medal and I have a silver.”

Rose celebrated on the 18th green like he’d just taken a major championship as players have spoken all week at how surprised they’ve been at how much this tournament has meant to them.

“I think it’s unique; more like a Ryder Cup than a major, but I would say it’s more unique than either of those two,” Rose told ESPN on Saturday. “I couldn’t pigeonhole it into either category to be honest with you, and that’s been my whole approach to the Olympic Games, is that you can’t compare it to anything else.

“I think it’s probably lived up to my expectations out there. I feel like the crowd has been a lot of fun to play in front of. There’s been a lot of goodwill for all of the players from all different nationalities, but at the same time you have your pockets of fans that are really cheering for you. It’s been a fun crowd to be a part of.”

Rose certainly gave that crowd a show early in the week with his ace on Thursday. Then he gave them even more on Sunday with his 67 to win the first gold medal since 1904.

Other notables:

• 3. Matt Kuchar (-13)
• T8. Sergio Garcia (-7)
• T8. Bubba Watson (-7)
• T11. Patrick Reed (-6)
• T15. Martin Kaymer (-5)
• T37. Danny Willett (E)
• T37. Rickie Fowler (E)

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