The conclusion of the men's Olympic golf tournament "produced a thrilling" final round, with Great Britain's Justin Rose winning the Gold Medal over Sweden's Henrik Stenson, while Matt Kuchar of the U.S. claimed the Bronze, according to Teddy Greenstein of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Only eight of the world's top 15 played in Rio, but "those who did will not regret it." Rose, who finished at 16-under, made his final putt and "celebrated in style, with a massive fist pump." Then he "grabbed his shirt -- the area over his heart -- and displayed it to the ebullient spectators surrounding the green." Rose: "It was just the most magical week, it really was." John Wood, Kuchar's caddie, "teared up when talking about the experience." He said, "Not in a million years did I expect anything this great. To be part of the American contingent, part of something bigger than yourself ... it's pretty cool." Greenstein writes, "So much for the gloom-and-doom run-up that featured talk of the Zika virus, concerns over security, complaints about the packed schedule, gripes about the unimaginative format and a focus on the big boys who stayed home" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/15). SI's Alan Shipnuck wrote the tournament "got the medal chase it deserved," as Rose and Stenson "engaged in a thrilling duel in the winter sun, exchanging birdies and gallant sportsmanship" (GOLF.com, 8/14). The NATIONAL POST's Ted Wyman wrote 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" (NATIONAL POST, 8/15).
NO ORDINARY TOURNAMENT: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Rex Hoggard wrote the four majors "will always hold a place above and beyond anything else in golf." But Olympic golf, a "novelty concept for most until this week’s event, proved to be something different, something neither better nor worse than the game’s predetermined benchmarks but definitely apart from the norm." There is "no accounting for what place Olympic golf will hold in the hierarchy of importance in coming years." The fact is the game is "assured only one more start" in '20 in Tokyo, but if yesterday's finale "holds any sway it certainly made a persuasive pitch to remain on the podium" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 8/14). In Sydney, Greg Baum writes the players all "wore national uniforms and caps and spoke of their excitement to feel like they were playing for something bigger than themselves for once" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/15). GOLF.com's Michael Bamberger wrote the event "never felt like an ordinary tournament, or even one of the game's four majors" (GOLF.com, 8/14).
NO SECOND-GUESSING: Golf writer Ron Sirak noted despite the absence of many top players, the return of golf "was an unqualified success." There are "some things to second-guess about Olympic golf, in terms of format especially, but there is no reason to second-guess the return of golf" (RONSIRAK.com, 8/14). GOLF DIGEST's Alex Myers wrote some of the big names who "didn't come to Rio are probably having second thoughts" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/14). GOLF.com's weekly roundtable discussed whether golf should return to the Games. Golf.com's Jeff Ritter said the "pride and emotion all three medalists displayed afterward further cements" that golf at the Games "can work." SI's Mark Godich said, "After so much early apathy, it was heartening to see the players embrace the opportunity." Golf magazine's Joe Passov: "It was more than a pleasant surprise to see it emerge the way it did. The players who did show were hugely positive in their comments for the course and in their enthusiasm for the event." Ritter added, "My hope was that a spirited competition would drown out the noise and negativity ... and I think that's exactly what we got" (GOLF.com, 8/14). GOLF DIGEST's Sam Weinman wrote if last week "was any measure, we can only hope" golf will be included beyond '20 (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/14).
CROWD GOES WILD: SI's Shipnuck noted a theme throughout the Olympics "has been the disappointing fan turnout, but all 15,000 tickets were sold" for the final round, an "incredible achievement given Brazil's lack of golf tradition and the course's distance from the tourist center." The fans there "were loud and fun," providing a "big-time atmosphere" (GOLF.com, 8/14). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Brad Reagan writes yesterday produced a "stirring" final round in which "throngs of spectators flaunted every flag imaginable." Rose said that the crowd, which was "rather subdued earlier in the week, was the opposite on the weekend." He said, “It felt like a cross between a golf tournament and a carnival. It was unique, incredible" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/15). GOLFWEEK's Alex Miceli wrote it was "one of the most energized crowds that golf has seen in awhile" (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/14). In N.Y., Karen Crouse writes the spectators’ "full-throated support for their countrymen dispelled the notion that golf is an individual sport." Mark Fulcher, Rose's caddie, said, “With the flags and everything, it’s as emotional as I’ve ever felt about a win." He said the track and field events over the weekend "looked great, but it was a half-empty stadium." Fulcher: "There was nothing half-empty about this place today. It was an amazing atmosphere" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/15).
LASTING IMPACT? GOLFWEEK's Brad Klein wrote the long-term legacy of golf at the Rio Games "remains very much uncertain." A "stirring week of women’s play over the next few days will help generate more fan attention worldwide," but if one of the goals of getting golf into the Olympics was to "help grow the game in countries where golf has yet to take a foothold, these matches are likely to have no impact." There is "no evidence in the developing world that exposure to competitive golf develops mass popularity and participation" (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/14).
