Much-needed respite for Olympic golf has arrived from Justin Rose, who wants a gold medal to form part of his professional legacy. Rose’s sentiment arrived as a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee insisted golf should be given two Games to prove its value.
Danny Willett will join Rose as Team GB players in the men’s section with the women’s game represented by Catriona Matthew and Charley Hull.
The sport’s Olympic return after 112 years has been overshadowed by withdrawals including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. On Tuesday, McIlroy took a swipe at golf’s involvement by suggesting it has no place there.
“Being part of Team GB, which is going to be about 350 athletes, is something to behold and something to be proud of,” Rose said. “If I was to fast forward 10 years, I’d like my career to read: ‘Justin Rose, multiple major champion and Olympic gold medallist.’
“It’s going to be right there alongside the major championships but not compared to. I just think it has its own category. It’s once every four years. It’s unique. It’s very different. It’s very special.”
Rose said McIlroy’s comments were “hopefully a slip of the tongue”.
Craig Reedie, of the IOC, was a key advocate of golf regaining Olympic status. A review of all sports in the Games will be held next year but Reedie believes no decision on golf should be made until after it features at Tokyo 2020.
“That would be fairer,” Reedie said. “The committee would want, I think, to make sure the sport was given an opportunity over two Games to prove itself. It seems strange they would say a sport was in for two Games and make a decision after one.
“I think they [the golfers who have withdrawn] are missing a trick but I do not regard it as terminal.
“Most people think about what it can get out of the Olympics, I thought just as important was what golf could bring to the Olympics. I am just disappointed that so many top players have decided not to go. I think it is particularly poignant when we have just watched some of the best tennis players in the world at Wimbledon. Tennis at the men’s level is at as high a standard as it has ever been and they will all be in Rio competing for a gold medal.”
