Justin Rose wants to be remembered as Olympic champion

Justin Rose wants to be remembered as Olympic champion

Rose targets Rio glory despite disappointment over the number of withdrawals.

Justin Rose has led the counter arguments to Rory McIlroy’s suggestion Olympic golf does not matter to elite players.

McIlroy, who has opted not to play in Rio this summer, has said he may not even watch the upcoming Olympic golf tournament and instead view “stuff that matters” at the Games.

The Northern Irishman has also said he does not feel a responsibility to help grow golf’s international profile, which was one of the prime motivating factors in the sport’s push for Olympic inclusion.

Rose, who will compete for Great Britain, does not share that point of view.

Speaking at a press conference to formally confirm his participation, the 2013 US Open champion said: “Do I feel like it’s nice to give back? Yes. I’ve received a lot from the game of golf.

“I’ve received a lot of help from many different organisations within the game and it doesn’t take much to give back in certain ways and I always try to do my fair share.

“I think there are times in your career where you know you need to be single-minded and maybe there are times of your career where it’s time to give back.”

The return of golf to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 has proved highly controversial, with a number of elite players – including the top four in the world rankings – withdrawing.

Concern over the Zika virus has been chief among the reasons for players’ absences but other factors such as the intensity of golf’s calendar and family matters have also arisen.

Rose said: “It’s obviously disappointing, of course it is. There’s no point lying about that.

“I totally respect and understand their perspective and their decision and it obviously comes down to personal reasons and you have to respect that.

“But I’ve been fairly unwavering in my commitment to it. I think if I was to fast-forward 10 years, I’d like my career to read ‘Justin Rose, multiple major champion and Olympic gold medallist’.”

Rose, who will join Masters champion Danny Willett, Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew in Team GB, hopes McIlroy may not have meant the “stuff that matters” comment.

The 35-year-old said: “Hopefully it’s a slip of the tongue – one of those moments. I’m not personally taking too much on board by that comment.”

Jamie Spence, Team GB’s golf leader, said: “Jack Nicklaus is my hero and he said he’d walk to Rio to play in the Olympics and I feel the same way.”