Rio braced for more withdrawals

it is a sad commentary on events over the past fortnight that the only drama we’re likely to see during this final week before the Olympic golf teams are finalised is if there are further big-name withdrawals.

Certainly only some unexpected last-minute changes of heart will prevent Danny Willett (right) and Justin rose from being team GB’s male representatives and Charley hull and Catriona Matthew stepping up for the women.

there is a possibility a win at the Scottish Open this week would be sufficient to earn Chris Wood, presently ranked 23rd in the world, enough ranking points to scrape into the top 15 and bolster the British numbers, but nothing else. Otherwise, all eyes will be on whether any of the four american representatives withdraw. Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson have declared their ‘100 per cent commitment’ but Jordan Spieth and rickie Fowler appear less sure. What is certain is that at least 20 per cent of the 60-man field will now be comprised of players ranked outside the world’s top 250. Which is great news for Willett and rose, of course, as they seek a gold medal so rare they would cherish it all their days; not so great, alas, for those who lobbied so hard for golf’s return to the Games for the first time since 1904.