Justin Rose and Danny Willett confirmed as part of Team GB’s golf line-up for Rio 2016

Justin Rose and Danny Willett confirmed as part of Team GB's golf line-up for Rio 2016

The British Olympic Association has confirmed that Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew will represent Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio next month.

The announcement, which comes just days after Jordan Spieth became the latest high-profile name to withdraw, means Rose and Willett will be two of the favourites to win gold when they tee it up at the Gil Hanse-designed Rio course.

The duo will compete in the men’s 72-hole stroke play event from August 11-14, while Matthew and Hull will contest the women’s competition from August 17-20.

Team GB golf captain Jamie Spence says: “To be taking three Major champions, as well as one of the up-and-coming stars of ladies’ golf to Brazil, certainly shows the strength of our team.

“I’m also so excited and so proud that the four players that have qualified have done so because all through this process they’ve really shown a desire to be in Rio and to be part of the Olympics. They really get it, and I’m just so pleased.”

What the players say…

Justin Rose

“Being part of Team GB is something to behold and something to be proud of. I remember the 2012 Ryder Cup team and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, being part of that team I felt we should have won the Sports Team of the Year, but Team GB won it based upon their incredible medal count. Obviously, you could see how that resonated with the British sporting public, the fact that they were announced as the team of the year. So the importance that people place on Team GB as a whole I think is great. I think if I was to fast forward ten years, I’d like my career to read “Justin Rose, multiple major champion and Olympic gold medalist.”

Danny Willett

“It will be a huge honour to represent Team GB at the Olympics. I’m very proud but it’s also going to be great fun. It’s the first time golf has been in since 1904 and it will be such a different experience. It comes at a busy point in our year so I’m hoping to be playing well going into it. I’ll certainly prepare as well as I possibly can and we’ll go from there. I’ve seen pictures of the course and it’s looking good.”

Charley Hull

“I can’t wait to represent Team GB in Brazil. It is such an honour to be selected and I am looking forward to every moment of the experience. I am so excited to be part of the team and stay in the village and meet so many of the athletes I admire. I think it will be the most amazing week and I will be so proud to be able to call myself an Olympian.”

Catriona Matthew

“I’m delighted to have made the GB Olympic team and cannot wait to go to Rio. Ever since golf made it into the Olympics, it’s been an aim of mine to make the team, and I’m both happy and relieved that I’ve been included.”