Gary Player pleased as golf thrives on Olympic stage despite high-profile withdrawals

Britain's Justin Rose defeated Open champion Henrik Stenson in a thrilling duel in the men's

Golf returned to the Olympics for the first time in more than a century under a dark cloud caused by the withdrawal of more than 20 top male players.

It left Rio a fortnight later with the gloom lifted and having done enough to secure its long-term future in the Games, according to nine-time major winner Gary Player.