A walk in the Park as Inbee swoops

The previous pessimism and negativity was completely forgotten as soon as the 60 players teed it up in the first round of the Games proper.

Tim Finchem, George O’Grady and Peter Dawson, along with Mike Davies from the USGA, the power brokers of golf, worked hard to have golf included in the Olympics and bring the sport to a worldwide audience.

Despite the lukewarm enthusiasm from a few of the top players, it must be considered an unequivocal success.

The sport is bigger than any individual. I am sure we can look forward to no raft of call-offs from the likes of Jason Day, Dustin Johnson,

head-to-head in a shoot-out Jordan Spieth, or Rory

of true Olympian McIlroy for Tokyo in 2020, proportions. where golf is a national I was fortunate to watch pastime. most of the final round last

In fairness to McIlroy, he Sunday from the comfort of very quickly sent Justin a my armchair. congratulatory message on It very much reminded me his gold medal. of the final round at Troon

So we must assume he did when Stenson and Phil watch a bit of the action on Mickelson battled their TV – contrary to what he said way to a stunning climax in a few weeks ago! their pursuit of the Claret

The purpose-built linksJug. type course, designed by The Swede ultimately Americans Gil Hanse and prevailed that day. But there Amy Alcott, was ready and was to be no stopping Justin exceeded expectations. in Brazil.

The crowds also proved to Level after 71 holes, it was be bigger than anyone could definitely a case of who have anticipated. would blink first, in a finale

Every player in Rio was befitting of a Major. anxious to try to get their The final hole is a par-5 of hands on a coveted medal 571 yards and was out of for their country. reach – even for these

None more so than Justin mighty hitters – against the Rose, the 2013 US Open wind. HERE’S what to look out be Britain’s last medallist Champion, and Sweden’s Henrik’s resultant weak for on Day 16 in Rio. at Rio 2016, but which Henrik Stenson, the pitch from just short of

Scottish London Marathon. colour will it be? The emphatic winner of The the green gave Justin an brothers Derek and Grant super-heavyweight takes Open at Royal Troon just a opening and he showed his Callum Hawkins and Ferguson makes his on France’s Tony Yoka, few weeks ago. class with an exquisite pitch Eritrean-born GlasgowOlympic debut as Team who controversially beat Both embraced the spirit to just 18 inches from the based Tsegai Tewelde will GB’s sole mountain bike him in last year’s World of the Games and welcomed hole to seal victory and that be ones to look out for in representative, hoping to Championship semi-final. the opportunity to represent famous gold medal for Team the men’s marathon. GB.buildonafifthplacefinishTheUnitedtheircountryatsport’s

While none of the trio at the Commonwealth States will be bidding to greatest competition. Both players hugged each are likely to challenge for a Games in 2014 and maintain their Paired together, along with other and I cannot think of podium place, a top-10 winning Under-23 world stranglehold on men’s Australian Marcus Fraser, two nicer people in any spot is a distinct championship silver last basketball as they go for a Rose and Stenson went sport, far less golf. possibility, especially for year. fifth gold medal at the last Callum, who finished six Olympics. Only Serbia eighth in this year’s stand in their way.

Lydia Ko, Inbee Park and Shanshan Feng show off their medals yesterday.

Park carded a closing 66 at Reserva de Marapendi to finish 16-under-par, five shots clear of world No. 1 Lydia Ko, who birdied the last to claim silver ahead of China’s Shanshan Feng.

Ja p a n’s Ha r u k y o No m u r a , American Stacy Lewis and South Korea’s Hee Young Yang shared fourth place on nine-under, with Hull tied for seventh another shot back alongside Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Australia’s Minjee Lee.

“This is definitely one of the special moments in my golfing career and in my whole life,” Park said. “It feels great. Obviously representing your country, winning the gold, it’s so special. It’s just really all I’ve wanted. I’m just happy.”

Seven-time major champion Park had not broken par on the LPGA Tour since April as she battled a ligament injury in her left thumb.

“A lot of people were saying that maybe it’s better to have another player in the field, which was very understandable. But I really wanted to do well this week and show a lot of people I can still play,” Park added.

“I knew I could compete out here, but a lot of people were doubting. I fought through injury and so I’m proud of myself.”

Park took a two-shot lead into the final round and was six clear after a hat-trick of birdies from the third and another on the eighth, before Feng closed the gap with a birdie on 10.

And when Park bogeyed the 10th after pulling her tee shot into the water as Feng birdied the 11th in the group ahead, the gap was down to just three shots heading into the toughest part of the course.

However, Park quickly regained her composure and birdies on the 13th, 15th and 17th sealed victory and saw the focus switch to the tense battle for silver and bronze.

Feng set the target on 10 under after a closing 69, but was left to regret three-putting the 18th for par from just short of the green, leaving the door open for Ko in the group behind.

And after driving the green on the short 16th to set up a two-putt birdie, the 19- year- old New Zealander pitched to seven feet on the 18th and saw her birdie putt catch the left edge of the hole and drop into the cup.

Hull was within a shot of the bronze medal position after a birdie on the 11th, but three-putted the 13th and was unable to pick up any shots until a two-putt birdie on the 18th.

“I was quite happy with the way I finished,” the 20-year-old said after a final round of 68. “I hit a great shot into the last and could have raced that eagle putt a little bit more. I left it a little bit short.

“But I’m happy. Especially on the back nine I gave myself plenty of opportunities, I just didn’t hole them. I missed one short putt which is a bit silly but apart from that I feel like my game is in good shape.

“My first Olympics was a fantastic experience and I got a buzz off it.”

Hull’s team-mate CatrionaMatthew carded a closing 70 to finish 29th, with Ireland’s Leona Maguire tied for 21st after a 69 and team-mate Stephanie Meadow 31st following a 72.

Boxer Joe Joyce will almost certainly

Justin Rose proudly displays his Olympic gold medal.

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