Skip to content

Adam Scott may skip Olympics, criticizes format

REUTERS/Paul Childs / Reuters

Australia's hopes of a medal in the return of golf at the 2016 Rio Olympics could be dealt a huge blow.

Adam Scott, while speaking Wednesday ahead of the Australian Masters, said that there's no certainty he will participate in the event this summer.

"It's not really a priority of my scheduling next year, which is based around the majors, and if the Olympics fits in, then it does," Scott said. "Looking at the schedule, some time off looks quite good, actually."

Scott - who sits 12th in the World Golf Rankings - is Australia's second-ranked player behind Jason Day.

The 35-year-old isn't particularly enthralled by the standard 72-hold stroke-play format that has been implemented. In fact, he believes organizers missed an opportunity to do something special.

"I'm not really sure how just having another golf tournament is really going to enhance the game or grow the game any more than any other tournament just because it's the Olympics," Scott said. "Certainly, with the field criteria, it doesn't necessarily get the strongest field in the game, either."

The 2013 Masters champion offered some advice.

"Some kind of a team event, even a mixed team event with the guys and girls would have been really interesting and something different."

The Men's tournament is scheduled to take place from Aug. 11-14.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox