Adam Scott “too busy” for the Olympics? Not according to the schedule on his own website ...

THERE’S been a terrible mistake. And someone needs to tell Adam Scott, quick. His Olympic dream could still be alive - as long as they keep the Games in August.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 07: Adam Scott of Australia plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the first round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

THERE’S been a terrible mistake. And someone needs to tell Australian golfer Adam Scott, quick. His Olympic dream could still be alive.

In case you missed it, world no. 7 and genuine medal shout Scott today reluctantly withdrew from the honour of representing his country at the biggest sports event in the world, taking place in Rio de Janeiro this August.

“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.

Scott’s personal website schedule contains an Olympic-sized hole in it.

“I have informed the Australian team captain (Ian Baker-Finch) and relevant authorities, who are understanding of my position and I wish the Australian Olympic team the very best of luck in Rio.

In tandem with world no. 1 Jason Day, Australia was previously poised to send one of the most promising of rosters to the men’s Olympic event, where golf is making an appearance for the first time since 1904.

And after the let-down of London four years ago, the opportunity of a likely boost to our medal haul seemed to have been gift wrapped out on the pristine 18-hole Brazilian course, with a pretty bow tied around it, after the two men have found form in the last 12 months.

However, it is not to be. Scott’s patriotism fell foul of the demands placed on him as an international athlete; the Games having been cruelly scheduled at, you know, a bloody inconvenient time for him, actually.

It is a set of circumstances most weekend hackers will have sympathy with.

You really, really want to get out on the course with your mates, but there are only so many hours in the day and days in the week. The kids need ferrying to soccer practice. And the wife’s sister is coming over for that BBQ you’ve had planned for so long you’d forgotten all about it.

Life, eh? Always getting in the way of you doing what makes you happy.

Scott may yet be able to play himself out of a scheduling bunker.

But wait. Fuelled by the tragedy that had befallen one of Australia’s finest, we resolved to do all we could to find a way round this thing.

And, in the end, it didn’t prove all that hard. A quick trip to Adam Scott’s own personal website revealed — once we had navigated past the epic sunset in the Bahamas picture taken by Scott himself that accounts for some 73 per cent of the content — that he may just be able to fit in an Olympics after all. Just.

His playing schedule is populated by all the tournaments you might expect, The Masters, US Open, the British version and the like. All pretty hectic to be sure. But — praise the Lord — August, when the Games is *actually* on, you’ll remember, is absolutely crystal clear. Not a single entry on there. None. Nothing. Nada.

Adam Scott will retire a very rich man. Still reckon a Rio Olympic memory would've been one worth living. You can't buy memories.

— Todd Balym (@balym_GCB) April 20, 2016

We can only speculate as to how this oversight occurred — maybe someone told Scott the Olympics were in September? Or he was looking at last year’s diary? It happens.

Regardless, with nothing on in the way of competition, Scott can go to the ball after all (unless those ‘other commitments’; sponsors lunches, a three week holiday in, say, the Bahamas etc and so on, are things he simply cannot get out of…).

Now, are you going to tell him the good news or should we?

Originally published as Adam Scott “too busy” for the Olympics? Not according to the schedule on his own website ...