Lefty joy at Olympic boost

American hails decision to include golf at 2016 Olympic Games

Last updated: 27th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lefty joy at Olympic boost

Mickelson: Olympic boost

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Phil Mickelson insists golf's inclusion in the Olympic Games is "the greatest thing to happen to the sport".

Golf was successful in its bid to gain recognition for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and was added to the Games roster along with rugby sevens.

Mickelson, along with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, took part in a promotional video to promote golf's campaign for election and its success has met with a great deal of satisfaction within the game.

Both Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington have welcomed the move while world number two Mickelson believes it will provide a huge boost in the growth of the game worldwide.

"Everybody that I have talked to is excited about golf becoming an Olympic sport," stated the 39-year-old American.

"It is the greatest thing to happen to our sport, it will allow the growth of the game on a global level.

"And with the Olympic foundations in all the countries in the world, I believe we will have a lot of money put towards the growth of the game in terms of educating juniors and teaching juniors proper fundamentals.

"I think the game of golf will finally get the recognition is deserves."

At the Olympics, fields of 60 men and 60 women will compete over a traditional 72 hole stroke play tournament with the top 15 players in the world qualifying automatically.