Justin Rose commits to Rio 2016 as top male golfers blasted for skipping Olympics

Open winner Justin Rose will represent Great Britain in next month's Rio Games, the British Olympic Association announced on Wednesday as Ladies European Tour's chief executive Ivan Khodabakhsh criticised the world's leading male golfers for taking a "myopic approach" and withdrawing from the Rio Olympics.

World number nine Willett and 11th ranked Rose will compete in the Aug. 11-14 men's 72-hole stroke play event, which has been hit by several high-profile pullouts citing concerns of the Zika virus.

The world's top four male golfers -- Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy -- have all withdrawn over health concerns from the mosquito-born virus.

Twenty-year-old Charley Hull, the youngest member of the squad, will compete alongside former Women's British Open winner Catriona Matthew in the women's competition from Aug. 17-20.

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"I will be so proud to be able to call myself an Olympian," Hull told British media.

Rio will mark the return of golf into the Olympic fold for the first time since 1904.

"The top male golfers have let down the rest of the sport very badly," Khodabakhsh told British media.

"The opportunity to do something for the broader good of the game is in their hands and they seem to be taking a very myopic approach.

"Brazil is a country of 200 million people in which fewer than 20,000 are registered golfers. The impact of the Olympics on those type of numbers across the world is part of the reason that golf is a success as an Olympic sport this summer."

Lydia Ko of New Zealand hits a drive

Image credit: Reuters

World number four McIlroy had earlier hit back at critics who questioned his Olympic decision, saying that he was playing golf to win and not grow the sport.

While the men's event has been hit by a host of pull-outs, New Zealand's Lydia Ko - current world No.1 - will lead an almost full-strength lineup as golf makes it's return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.

"British golf is represented by great champions Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew but across the world, 60 women golfers from 34 countries will tee off in Rio," Khodabakhsh added.

"This will send a powerful message to sports fans and governments of all types that women's golf is a genuine world-class sport."

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