Korea’s Inbee Park won the women’s Olympic golf gold medal after shooting a final round 66 at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro.
It was the 28-year-old from Seoul’s third 66 of the tournament, which saw her finish on 16 under par and pull five shots clear of silver medalist Lydia Ko, and by six from China’s Shanshan Feng, who took bronze.
Park turned the final day in front of a sell-out crowd into a procession, extending her two-shot third round lead over the final 18 holes courtesy of seven birdies and just two dropped shots.
Park’s triumph was all the more extraordinary for the fact that she has only played once competitively since June, the result of an on-going problem with her left thumb which has curtailed appearances to just 10 starts on the LPGA Tour.
“This is definitely one of the special moments in my golfing career and in my whole life,” said Park. “Representing your country, and winning the gold is so special. This is something I’ve really been dreaming of coming into the week. There were so many Korean people out here supporting me, it almost felt like we were in Korea.”
Team GB’s hopes of adding to Justin Rose’s gold the previous week rested on the shoulders of Kettering’s Charley Hull, who went into the final round in tied fifth after a third round 74 played in the windiest conditions of the week. The youngster from Woburn Golf Club battled hard for a medal but closed with a 68 to finish just two shots off the bronze position with an 8-under-par total of 276.
“I was quite happy with the way I finished,” Hull said. “I played pretty decent. On the back nine I gave myself plenty of opportunities, but I just didn’t hole any putts. But overall, my first Olympics was a fantastic experience, and I got a good buzz off it. Of course it’s a shame I couldn’t come away with a medal, but I was really happy with my overall performance.”
Despite the failure of some of the leading men to take part in the Games, Peter Dawson, President of the International Golf Federation, expressed his delight at the overwhelming positive response that golf’s return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.
He said: “We are delighted by the strong showing of golf during the Olympics. We were always confident that we would deliver high-quality men’s and women’s competitions and we have witnessed that over the last two weeks. Golf’s success has been endorsed by strong viewing figures throughout the world and genuine interest from enthusiastic crowds in Rio. To see medalists crowned from six different nations is hugely gratifying.
He added: “It is very important that we continue to be a supportive, contributing member of the Olympic family. We believe the values of our sport complement those of the Olympic movement, and I am both hopeful and confident that we will continue to play our part beyond 2020.”