Adam Scott confirms he will not play golf at the Rio Olympics

Australia’s Adam Scott has opted not to compete in the golf event at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio.

Adam Scott has made it official that he will not be a part of the Australian team to play golf at the Rio 2016 Olympics to be held in August.

In a statement released via his management, he has informed team captain Ian Baker-Finch and Olympic golf organisers of his intention to skip the event.

“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. I have informed the Australian Team captain and relevant authorities, who are understanding of my position and I wish the Australian Olympic Team the very best of luck in Rio.”

While Scott would have earned automatic selection given his top-15 world ranking, the announcement comes and no surprise. Scott has often expressed his disinterest in Olympic golf and made it clear for some time that his focus is on the PGA Tour and in particular the majors.

Scott has previously criticised the inclusion of golf at the Olympics and he clearly has stood by his word.

“I don’t believe a lot of sports belong there. It’s got away from where it started. Most of the athletes at the Olympics probably have trained four years specifically to peak at this one event. It’s the pinnacle of their sport, they get one crack at their big thing every four years,” Scott said in an interview last year. “They have put their life on hold for this event and it’s so important to them, and I feel it’s their time. Golf doesn’t need to be in the Olympics.”

Scott is the second big name in a week to publicly state they won’t be competing after Fiji’s Vijay Singh also opted to sit out of the event.