Problem solved!!!
Thanks to everyone who replied and helped me. The culprit was the left side gate bump stopper. When I rechecked and looked over everything that could go wrong with opening and closing the gate, I noticed that my left stopper was loose then probably sit a little low. I raised it up just a bit and tighten the screw. That was that simple. I think the new stopper spring loaded design will prevent this issue for good.
In short, when you experience my problem, here are the things to check:
1. Both shock struts. If they can raise the gate, they are ok.
2. The soft close latch components. If you can hear the unlock/lock and see the pull down, they are ok
3. There is a large thumb size hollow rubber nipple right on the left of the upper gate. Check to make sure you still have it. From what I see, this piece plays a very important role: it acts as a "spring" to push the gate up a bit when you open so it will not close back up.
4. Last are the bump gate stoppers as pictured in this thread. They should be positioned in such a way to give the gate a "slight" lift when open. I guess that those who got rattles in the gates, these stoppers probably sit too low?
Mine is working now but I will adjust the stoppers little more so that the gate will pop up a bit softer...
Thanks!

Thanks for the follow up...and best of all it was a "free" fix. :)

Updates:
As I was checking around trying to adjust both side bump stops for a "softer" liftgate popup, I saw that I missed or lost the right thumb size rubber nipple (identified as part #38 in the diagram and item 3 in my fix resolution). So, if your gate opens then closes right away, check for 2 of these pressure loaded rubber nipples, you should have one each side from the liftgate latch. They get old then fall off easily. If you see just the large black screw/s next to the latch then you lost them.

*** These two pressure loaded nipples are the actual mechanism to pop the gate up so that the soft close will not grasp and pull it down ***

I bought and installed part #38, my gate now operates like new. One bad new was that this little rubber thing cost $20-25 something from ECS

that's good to know, I'll check mine because I have that problem. thanks

I've now got the updated spring loaded (mine are solid) bump stops and was hoping to fit tonight. Its a bit tight in there though, do you have to remove the plastic trim panels inside the car?

*edit* found in another thread, remove a couple of trim panel screws.

No, just pry them a little out of the way.

Remove the Phillips screw that is hidden in the recess the cargo cover slips in to.
Remove the rear side access panel (like you are accessing the rear fuse panel)
Pull the trim slightly out (like 3/4 inch). I stuffed a plastic tool in there to keep it open.

You can then easily slide a 30mm socket on a 6-inch extension in place

Great, thanks David

Installed yesterday, the spring loaded bump stops work a treat:thumbup: