Adam Scott is still not thrilled about golf’s return to the Olympics, repeating Wednesday that he’ll base his 2016 schedule around the four majors and not committing to play at Rio 2016, should he qualify.
“The Olympics is an interesting one,” Scott said ahead of the Australian Masters in Melbourne. “I’ve been pretty open and outspoken that it’s not really a priority of my scheduling next year. I’ll still base my schedule around the majors and if the Olympics fits in, then it does. That’s just where I see it, and the point I’m at in my life and the other priorities, and the gap in the schedule there, some time off looks quite good actually. That’s nothing to take away from the Olympics, but I’m just not sure that they have got it quite dialed in with the format and might have missed an opportunity there to do something pretty special for golf. It’s not really my priority at the moment but certainly be going to play anywhere it fits in.”
Scott, ranked No. 12 in the world, said in December 2014 that golf would benefit more if amateurs rather than professionals played in the sport’s Olympic return after a 112-year break.
In May, he called Olympic golf “an exhibition” and said it “doesn’t need to be in the Olympics.”
“I would have liked to have seen them be a little more creative than a little 72-hole stroke-play event,” Scott said Wednesday. “I’m not really sure how just having another golf tournament is going to enhance the game or grow the game more than any other tournament anywhere just because it’s the Olympics. Certainly with the field criteria, it doesn’t necessarily get the strongest field in the game, either. ... I think that could have generated some real electricity if it was a mixed event with the guys and the girls.”
Scott must play well up to the Olympic golf qualifying cutoff date of July 11 to have a chance to play at the Rio Games. He must either be ranked in the top 15 or be one of the top two ranked Australians to earn an automatic place in the 60-player field.
Right now, world No. 2 Jason Day is the top Australian.
Scott’s ranking fell from No. 3 to No. 12 this year, and he last won a PGA Tour event in May 2014.
Marc Leishman could challenge Scott for an Olympic berth, given he has risen from No. 48 to No. 36 in the world this year.
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