Putting the Great back into Britain

Swept away by the whole spirit of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 36-year old British golfer Justin Rose strode proudly into the history books at the weekend (14 August) after winning the gold medal in a thrilling final round during the first Olympic golf championship since 1904.

 

On the first day he showed he meant business in Rio by making an historic hole-in-one, the first of the 2016 Games.  His ace at the 189-yard, par-three fourth got him into a share of fourth place with four other players at 4-under par.  Just one stroke ahead were Open Champion Henrik Stenson from Sweden and a Canadian player, Graham DeLaet.

 

Rose was four strokes behind the leader Marcus Fraser from Australia who opened with a blistering 8-under par course record of 63.  Fraser, incidentally, still held the lead after 36 holes with Belgian Thomas Pieters one stroke behind on 9-under par and Stenson one shot further adrift.

 

Two eagles on Saturday saw Rose rocket-up the leaderboard and take the outright lead by one stroke going into the final round on Sunday.  A small difference but a huge psychological advantage over friend and winning 2014 Ryder Cup team partner, Henrik Stenson.  Two Major winners on a mission: to take home a medal, preferably gold.  The 40-year old Swede fresh from his Open Championship victory at Royal Troon in July and the Englishman as the 2013 US Open Champion.

 

 

Even before the Games had begun, Rose had been full of enthusiasm about the prospect of golf returning as an Olympic sport this year.  He had taken part in the opening ceremony in Rio a week before the start of the golf and had followed with increasing interest his fellow athletes in Team GB.  And so the Olympic passion began to burn inside the Englishman.  Little did he know then that he would be proudly singing the national anthem under the Union Jack raised in his honour on Sunday.

 

‘A great showcase for golf today…’

– Justin Rose

 

It was as if a film director had set the beautiful scenario for Sunday on the Olympic Golf Course.  A head-to-head battle between Rose and Stenson that went all the way to the very last putt on the very last green.  They matched each other shot-for-shot in gladiator-style.

 

“When I actually got down to Rio and experienced the whole vibe of the Olympics, I have just been really excited…”

– Justin Rose

 

A Sunday of golf totally worthy of Olympic status.  The sceptics, who hadn’t relished the idea of golf making its return to the Olympic Games after 112 years, must surely have been impressed by the play on Sunday.  The much-talked about purpose-built course for the Games in sunny Rio de Janeiro with its unusual wildlife played the perfect host during the men’s individual event.  Fine golf, good sportsmanship and an impressive crowd of 12,000 golf fans and curious Brazilians all gathered in anticipation of a thrilling final round.  And that is just what they got.

 

It was as if Rose had been watching closely and learning from Britain’s other experienced Olympians, like the inspiring long-distance runner, Mo Farah.  Just like Mo he had kept the tournament leaders in his sights for the first few days, waiting for the right moment to nose ahead at the ‘finish-line’ and take the gold medal.  Whilst Rose and Stenson were battling it out, American Matt Kuchar made an admirable charge on Sunday shooting a 63 to earn himself the bronze medal.

 

“To come out with a medal is incredible; to come out of it with gold, unbelievable…”

– Justin Rose

 

On the 16th, Stenson holed-out for birdie to get himself to 15-under and so level-peg with Rose.  They ‘halved’ the next to go down the par-5 last ‘all square’.  But both of their drives leaked away to the right making the green in two an impossibility and giving rise to speculation of a play-off.

 

Stenson’s approach shot from 50 yards to the 18th green pitched and rolled back leaving him with a putt of around 20 feet for birdie.  Rose then played a gem of a pitch to within two feet.  In the heat of the battle, the Swede then struck an adrenalin-pumped putt five feet past the hole and missed the return.  A bogey six for Stenson saw him drop back to 14-under.

 

Rose, rather sensibly, chose not to be too hasty with his tap-in putt for birdie and for Olympic glory. When his ball finally disappeared into the hole for a closing 67 and a score of 16-under par, two ahead of Stenson, he punched the air in ecstasy.  After 112 years, Canadian George Lyon had finally been relieved of his title.  Great Britain’s Justin Rose is the new Olympic Golf Champion and will take home with him to London an Olympic gold medal.

 

 

What a moment for Justin Rose!  What a Games for Great Britain!

Many, many congratulations to you Justin – you’ve done Britain proud!

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

 

GOLD MEDAL Justin Rose, Great Britain  Score: 268 (67-69-65-67)

SILVER MEDAL Henrik Stenson, Sweden  Score: 270 (66-68-68-68)

BRONZE MEDAL Matt Kuchar, America  Score: 271 (69-70-69-63)

 

 

NEXT OLYMPIC GOLF DATE: Women’s Olympic Golf begins in Rio today, Wednesday, 17 August.

 

PICTURED:  Proud Olympic Golf Champion Justin Rose with his gold medal.  Stenson in contention (centre).  The euphoric winning team of Justin Rose and his caddie Mark Fulcher on the 18th green of the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro (below).  (OG)