Rose’s golden chip a dramatic capstone
Stenson settles for the silver after Briton’s ‘magical’ shot clinches title
It was an epic finish to a new beginning for golf.
It was the kind of scenario even those who championed the return of the game to the Olympics could only have dreamed would unfold.
Two of the best players in the world were locked in a duel for 18 holes and as it came down to the last hole, neither had gained an edge.
Great Britain’s Justin Rose, a former U.S. Open champion, was there. So too was Henrik Stenson, the winner of this year’s British Open. They were tied, at 15 under par, seemingly headed for a playoff to decide the first gold medal to be handed out at the Olympics in 112 years.
They were both standing less than 50 yards from history, a huge crowd waiting to explode, TV viewers around the world eating up the drama. At that moment, it was Rose who came up with the wizardry, hitting his 38-yard chip to two feet from the pin, where he would putt for birdie. It was a shot gilded with gold. “Coming up with that last pitch when I needed it was magical,” Rose said.
Stenson’s chip from 50 yards was nowhere near as good and he was left with a 22-foot putt for birdie. He missed, and missed coming back for par as well.
That left Rose to tap in for birdie and finish at 16 under to claim the Olympic gold medal by two strokes.
“Oh my God, that felt better than anything I’ve ever won,” Rose said. “It was the best tournament I’ve ever done.”
Stenson started the day one stroke behind Rose and the two traded punches throughout the final round at the Olympic Golf Course. They were really the only two in contention for the gold, and both wanted it desperately.
Both players wound up on the podium, along with bronze medallist Matt Kuchar of the United States, who shot a sizzling 8-under 63 on Sunday. But only one can call himself an Olympic champion for the next four years.
“When the national anthem goes up, that’s a very proud moment,” Rose said. “I feel that’s much more what the Olympics is about. Instead of representing yourself, more so you are here representing your country and I think that’s a big deal. It’s a very, very proud moment when you are able to share it with people back home.”