Tuesday 16 August 2016 08:32, UK
Gary Christian looks back at golf's Olympic return in Rio after a 112-year absence, and reflects on Justin Rose's final-round tussle with Henrik Stenson to claim gold.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many athletes to compete in the Olympic Games, as it's their one chance of glory in their whole career.
Golfers get the opportunity to play on TV week in, week out for lots of money, but to have that one chance to perform with the whole world watching is something really special.
"After the success, coverage and excitement we've seen in Rio this week, I think more of the world's top players will want to be a part of it next time."
Justin Rose really threw himself in to this and as soon as it was announced that golf was returning to the Games, as it was clear to see that he wanted to be on that plane.
He got to Rio early, really soaked up the atmosphere and did everything absolutely right. It's a shame that some of the other world class players didn't feel the same, but Rose had the perfect attitude.
For the Olympics to have the finish that it had, with Rose and Stenson going head-to-head coming down to the last hole and both having the chance to get up-and-down from the edge of the green, you couldn't have asked for a better story.
I think deep down there will be that element of regret by many of those who decided not to play a part. To feature in the first Olympic golf event for 112 years would have been a special thing to be involved in.
You could see from Justin and from also watching the likes of Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler that they were just so keen to be involved in everything at the Games.
That seemed to be a common theme, as they all seemed to learn so much from the other athletes. As golf pros we're usually focused so much just on ourselves, so for them to open up their focus a little bit was something for them to really embrace.
Justin will now be able to sit over lunch at the next PGA Tour event and tell everyone all the great stories he had and the people he met.
I think golf in the Olympics will inevitably build. This is the first one in our era, so there was that element of uncertainty and players unsure of what it all really meant.
After the success, coverage and excitement we've seen in Rio this week, I think more of the world's top players will want to be a part of it next time. The next one in Tokyo will be far harder for the players to pull out.
