How Justin Rose Became an Olympic Champion

IT WAS a golf tournament that had been blighted by withdrawals, with many of the world’s leading golfers refusing to take part in the Olympic Games golf tournament, citing concerns over the Zika virus. And here we are, five years later, and so little seems to have changed. 

But for Justin Rose, those four days in Rio in 2016 turned out to be hugely memorable. He recorded the first ever hole in one at the Games and went on to become the first Olympic champion in 112 years.

His ace came at the 189-yard par-three fourth hole on the opening day at the Barra da Tijuca course in Rio. “When you’re the first to do anything no one can ever take that away from you,” he said. “That was definitely a cool moment.” 

Rose went on to card a four-under-par 67 on the opening day, leaving him fourth on a leaderboard topped by Australia’s Marcus Fraser, who lay four shots ahead after a spectacular 63. It was to prove a solid platform for victory for the British player.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rose moved to the UK with his parents when he was five. He took up golf shortly afterwards and announced himself to the world in finishing fourth as a 17-year-old amateur at the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale, a placing sealed by a memorable holed shot from the rough at the last.    

Promptly turning professional, Rose missed his first 22 cuts on the European Tour and had to wait until 2002 to record his maiden tournament victory. Five years later he won the European Tour Order of Merit title and forced his way into the top 10 of the world rankings. 

After helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup in 2012, Rose lifted the 2013 US Open trophy, becoming the first English winner of a men's major since Nick Faldo in 1996. The following year Rose turned in a brilliant performance as Europe retained the Ryder Cup once more, contributing four points out of a possible five. 

Speaking before he represented his country in Rio, Rose said: “It’s an opportunity to create a bit of a legacy in the game by winning the first Olympic gold for a 100 and something years. I see it as an opportunity. To me the Olympics is about the best of the best competing against one another. I see it as an incredible opportunity to do something different, something cool, something that will always stand alone.” 

Entering fully into the Olympic spirit, he enthusiastically shared his joy at being part of the British team on social media and congratulated his compatriots for their excellent results. 

Rose moved to six under after the second round, still four shots adrift of Fraser. The Briton then shot a third-round 65 to jump to the top of the leaderboard at -12, with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson just one shot behind and Fraser three off the pace in third. 

The three leaders played together in the final round, but Fraser quickly fell out of contention, leaving the Stenson and Rose to fight it out for gold. The pair were locked together at 15 under par as they went up the 18th, at which point Stenson hit a wayward approach to hand Rose the initiative. 

While Stenson took three putts to get down, a jubilant Rose needed just the one, his birdie taking him to -16, two shots clear of the Swede. Matt Kuchar of the USA shot a 63 – the best round of the final day – to finish a further stroke back in bronze.

“Oh my God, that felt better than anything I’ve ever won,” said Rose, Olympic golf’s first champion since Canada’s George Lyon at St Louis 1904. “It’s been the best tournament of my life. It felt like a cross between a golf tournament and a carnival. It was unique, incredible! Coming up with that at the last hole when I needed it was magical. Hopefully we've shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves, for golf!”

At the end of a memorable fortnight for him and Team GB, who won 27 golds at Rio 2016 and 67 medals in all, Rose tweeted his intent to defend his hard-won title in Tokyo: “What an AMAZING two weeks the @Olympics has been for @TeamGB Can’t wait for 2020 #RiotoTokyo.” Sadly, he won’t be in Tokyo after struggling with his game for the past couple of years.