Rose captures Olympic gold

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — From the top step of the podium, Justin Rose bowed his head as the Olympic gold medal was placed around his neck, and he stared at it for the longest time.

Even for a major champion, this was more than he ever imagined.

“It’s a moment you’ve seen in many other sports,” Rose said. “The medal ceremony is what it’s all about, really.”

This was why the 36-year-old Englishman circled the Rio Games on his calendar all along, even as some of the biggest names in golf began pulling out. Rose came to Rio to watch, and to win.

And when his turn came Sunday, he delivered a gold-medal performance worthy of a 112-year wait.

The final round was so tense that no one led by more than one shot until Rose hit a 40-yard pitch to 3 feet, a shot every bit as significant as the 4-iron from 229 yards on the 18th hole at Merion when he won the 2013 U.S. Open.

The birdie gave him a 4-under 67 and a two-shot victory over Henrik Stenson to win golf’s first gold medal since 1904 in St. Louis.

Matt Kuchar of the United States closed with a 63 to win the bronze.