Rio 2016: Britain's Justin Rose in pole position for gold ahead of final round in the Olympic golf

The Briton is 12 under par after a brilliant round of 65, which included two eagles in three holes

Justin Rose in action on the Olympic course in Rio (Getty)

Justin Rose goes into the final round of the Olympic golf tournament in gold medal position after a brilliant round of 65, including two eagles in three holes, took him to 12 under par.

Rose, who is one clear of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and three ahead of Australia’s Marcus Fraser, said to win gold would be a huge moment in his career.

“Today turned into a great score; shot six under par. I am not getting too far ahead of myself. Obviously it is a nice position going into tomorrow but there is a lot of work to come out and play another great round of golf,” Rose said.

“It would mean an awful lot (to win). You see how much it means to other athletes here in Rio; how people commit and devote their lives to an Olympic medal. To have one would just be unbelievable.

"In golf we haven't had the opportunity to realise how much it means yet. But when we see someone with a gold medal around their neck tomorrow, we are all going to realise what a big moment that is."

Rose, Stenson and Fraser go out in the final group chased by America’s Bubba Watson, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and David Lingmerth of Sweden on six under par.

A birdie at the last helped Danny Willett to a 69 after he had earlier posted a treble bogey six at the par-3 fourth. Willett closed in 14th on two under par.