Bezuidenhout closed with a 67 for a 72-hole total of 11 under-par 273, finishing seven strokes off the winning total of 18 under-par by American Xander Schauffele.

Higgo signed off his Olympic journey with a final round of 72 for a level-par 284 finish.

It was an incredible final round, including a pressure-filled battle for the gold medal and then a seven-man playoff for bronze.

Former South African and now Slovakian Rory Sabbatini produced an Olympic record of 61 on the final day to take the clubhouse lead on 17 under par. 

Schauffele was one shot clear on 18 under playing the 18th. His drive went far right and he had to chip out short of the green. But his third was perfect as it finished less than a metre from the hole. 

He made that putt for par to secure the gold medal, and Sabbatini took the silver.