Rio Olympics 2016: Justin Rose wins historic gold with last-hole birdie after classic duel with Open champion Henrik Stenson

JUSTIN ROSE snatched an historic gold medal with a last-hole birdie to pip Open winner Henrik Stenson.

The England ace celebrated golf's return to the Olympics after 112 years with an ice-cool finale against his Ryder Cup team-mate to end 16-under overall with a four-under par 67 .

And, after Sweden's Stenson had birdied the 16th to pull level, Rose responded with a beautiful chip on the 18th to set up a birdie chance.

Stenson then three-putted to finish with a bogey and on a 68, leading Rose needing just a par five.

Fittingly, he holed out at the first attempt - to earn himself automatic qualification for the four Majors next season and, more importantly, fulfil his long-held dream of an Olympics victory.

Stenson, American bronze winner Matt Kuchar  and, for three days, Australian Marcus Fraser had been locked in a battle with Rose during a 60-man tournament that won over most critics of golf's return.

Europe hero Stenson, who opened the day one shot behind Rose, roared into contention on the final day until his last-hole slip.

But the clash was such an epic that the big-name absences - many because of fears of the Zika virus - were forgotten.Fellow England golfer Danny Willett was one of the first to tweet his congratulations.

And victory completed Rose's seven-year dream of an Olympic gold since it was first confirmed golf would return to sport's showpiece event.

His first-round included a hole-in-one.

And his final round opened with four birdies and one bogey on his outward nine.

Stenson landed birdies from four of his first 10 holes, drawing level when Rose dropped a shot on the 13th.

But Rose produced the calmer finish, chipping to within two feet of the 18th compared to Stenson's shot spinning 20 feet away.

Stenson's birdie attempt veered eight feet past the hole before he missed the return.

That gave Rose two putts for victory but the first one proved routine.