He was initially against it being reintroduced to the Olympics for the first time since St Louis in 1904 but has now come round to the idea. 

"When they first suggested that golf would become an Olympic sport, I wasn't a fan," Westwood told the Evening Standard in an interview.

"Daley Thompson was a hero of mine when I was growing up and to me an Olympics was about winning medals.

"Golf is all about winning Majors.

"But then I spoke to a few people and they explained to me what the impact of having golf in the Olympics could have on the game.

"I then watched the Opening Ceremony [in Beijing': [Rafael] Nadal walking in with a Spanish flag, [Roger] Federer walking in with his Swiss flag, Kobe Bryant with the American flag.

"They were all so proud.

"It's something that's never happened in golf."

Westwood is still searching for his first Major but last year ended the long reign of Tiger Woods as the world's top golfer and held the position for 22 weeks before being replaced by compatriot Luke Donald.

It means that three of the world's current top five golfers are eligible for Britain at Rio.


Besides Westwood and Donald, other players eligble to represent Team GB include current US Open champion and world five number five Rory McIlroy and British Open winner Darren Clarke (pictured).

Graeme McDowell, McIlroy's predecessor as US Open champion in 2010, is also eligible for Britain.

"I'd love to represent Britain in Rio," said Westwood, who will be 43 by the time of the Games.

"That is if I am playing.

"I don't want to turn up to a tournament if I haven't got a chance of winning."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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