Adam Scott opts out of Australia’s Rio Olympics team, putting golf’s legitimacy at Games under scrutiny

GOLF’S legitimacy as an Olympic sport has come under renewed attack after Adam Scott decided his schedule was too busy to include a hit out in Rio.

Australia's Adam Scott tees off on the 12th hole during Round 2 of the 80th Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2016, in Augusta, Georgia. / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT

GOLF’S legitimacy as an Olympic sport has come under renewed attack after Adam Scott decided his schedule was too busy to include Rio.

The former world No. 1’s has consistently said golf’s Olympic return did not stir him like the four majors which are his priority.

Scott might have expected to silence any backlash against his long-held stance after Wednesday’s official decision to make himself unavailable.

“My decision has been taken as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other commitments, both personal and professional,” Scott said in a statement from his home in the Bahamas.

“I wish the Australian Olympic Team the very best of luck in Rio.”

Instead, 2012 Olympic swimming gold medallist Mel Wright took to Twitter to take a fresh shot at the professional sport of golf deserving a place at the Olympics.

“This is why golf should not be an Olympic sport. It isn’t the pinnacle,” the Gold Coast-based Wright said.

Scott’s view is an individual one. He has wrestled with the Olympic question for a year and had several heart-to-hearts with Olympic golf team leader Ian Baker-Finch.

World No. 7 Scott would have been a genuine medal contender at the Games.

Baker-Finch had spoken to Scott about the broader spin-offs of golf’s profile as an Olympic sport stirring growth and money for youth golf programs in South America and non-traditional countries.

New dad Scott has been honest to himself because even last year he pondered “some time off looks quite good actually” in August.

The US Open, British Open and US PGA Championship have been crammed into a demanding seven weeks in June-July because of the Olympics.

Australia’s world No. 1 Jason Day is gung-ho about representing at the Olympics and is locked in.

American world No. 2 Jordan Spieth is treating the Olympics “like the fifth major” and is revelling in the idea of wearing the red, white and blue as a US team member.

Kiwi world No. 1 Lydia Ko and Australian pair Minjee Lee and Karrie Webb are thinking the same way so golf will have passionate performers worthy of the occasion.

Marc Leishman will be the likely beneficiary of Scott’s busy schedule.

With Scott opting out, a dream Olympic opportunity has opened up for Victorian Marc Leishman, ranked No. 34 in the world.

It is improbable that Marcus Fraser (No. 66) or Matt Jones (No. 70) would jump ahead of him before the 60-strong men’s field is settled by world standings in mid-July.

Day, Scott, Leishman, Jones, John Senden and Steve Bowditch were all measured for Olympic team uniforms so there was always consideration given to Scott opting out.

The Olympic event is to be played as a four-round strokeplay event with no team element that would be weakened by Scott’s non-appearance.

Originally published as Adam Scott opts out of Australia’s Rio Olympics team, putting golf’s legitimacy at Games under scrutiny