Adam Scott slams Olympics golf format

Omnisports

June 30, 2016 2:34 AM

Adam Scott believes golf's participation at the Olympic Games must solely be for amateurs if the sport is to grow globally.

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Adam Scott believes golf's participation at the Olympic Games must solely be for amateurs if the sport is to grow globally.

Golf will make its return to the Olympics schedule in Rio de Janeiro after a 112-year absence.

Scott has already pulled out of contention for Rio 2016, along with several other high-profile golfers including world number one Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

While some of those withdrawals have been due to the threat of the Zika virus, Scott believes the qualifying format for the tournament was all wrong, citing an already packed schedule for professional golfers.

"I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and listening to what all the other guys have said and I think the [International Golf Federation] and the [International Olympic Committee] need to think about what they do for the next one because it's obviously not gone the way they've planned it," the Australian said.

"They should think about that and how professional golf fits in the Olympic system.

"Looking at the big picture and long-term, not just initial impact, I believe putting the amateurs in would be a better result for growing the game if that's the point of our sport being in the Olympics.

"I'd make an argument that having the amateurs in the Olympics would grow the game the most, not us. I don't know if that'll ever happen or not, but I think it would be a real positive for the game of golf."

He added: "If I think back to when I was 16 or 17 years old and a promising golfer, making the Olympics would be something that I'd want to do very much and also be a very big deal, not only to me, but to my country.

"Generally, trying to get people involved in the game of golf, the stats show that if they get involved early, more people stick with the game, and I think having a young golfer aspire to be an Olympian is more realistic as an amateur than a professional.

"Just having another 72-hole golf tournament with a weaker-than-most field doesn't really pique my interest and make me prioritise that."

Golf will also be part of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, but a decision on its future beyond that will be made in 2017.

Omnisports