Rio Olympics 2016: Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson go head-to-head for golf gold in the final round
JUSTIN ROSE and Henrik Stenson are battling it out for the first golf Olympic gold medal in 112 years.
The Team GB star began the day with a one-shot lead over the Swede and the pair made encouraging starts in their final round.
Both players, who are going head-to-head in the final group, made encouraging starts by hitting a birdie on the first hole of their fourth round.
On Saturday, Rose finished his third round one shot clear of fellow one-time major winner Stenson.
The Brit carded a 65 – including two eagles – to finish top of the pile going into the final round.
Team GB’s Justin Rose is in contention for the golf gold medal at the Rio Olympics
OLYMPIC GOLF LEADERBOARD AFTER R3
1. Justin Rose (GB) -12
2. Henrik Stenson (Swe) -11
3. Marcus Fraser (Aus) – 9
T4. Bubba Watson (USA) -6
T4. David Lingmerth (Swe) -6
T4. Emiliano Grillo (Arg) -6
T7. Miko Ilonen (Fin) -5
T7. Padraig Harrington (Ire) -5
T7. Matt Kuchar (USA) -5
T7. Gregory Bourdy (Fra) -5
T7. Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spa) -5
Rose’s charge was in danger of unravelling at the 18th as he drove into a bunker off the tee before coming up way short of the green.
But he held his nerve to finish the day with a massive grin on his face after his par putt saw the ball dance its way into the hole.
Stenson then had the chance to draw level but missed a 14-foot birdie putt, meaning he shot 68 overall.
Rose, Stenson and Aussie Marcus Fraser – who finished nine under par in third spot – will go out in the final grouping.
And all three will feel confident of bagging medals, with USA’s Bubba Watson sat in tied fourth, six under.
